Romans 16:25-27

One of the best parts of these last couple of days before Christmas is the anticipation: of the next person to show up, the next gift to be placed under the tree, or the next warm baked good to be pulled from the oven.  But what would life be like without anticipation?  We would live our lives with each new day filled with dangers and unexpected pitfalls.  We would find no joy in each new day and no hope that anything better is yet to come.  Unfortunately, I think we do live our lives that way sometimes; we lose sight of God's eternal plan and live each day with no joy or hope of Christ's reign.

In today's passage Paul summarizes God's redemptive plan in one final sentence in Romans and praises God for this eternal plan through Jesus Christ.  God's plan is no secret!  Jesus Christ is no secret!  We have been made a part of this plan and can sit in anticipation of its completion in Christ's return.  Christ has been made known in the prophets, Christ has come and walked among us, Christ died and rose for us, and new we actively wait for Christ to come again.  The anticipation makes me want to shake my Bible, like I do my Christmas gifts, looking for some clue as to what is to come.

Eternal and Wise God, you set your plan into action before the waters of creation and continue to build upon your plan in our time.  The anticipation of its completion is almost too much to bear, but we give thanks for the joy that comes with the anticipation and ask that you use our anxious energy for your coming kingdom.  We pray in the name of the coming Lord.  Amen.

Matthew L. Thompson

Senior Student from Plainview, Texas