Good News

 by Macy Johnson

“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat,

the calf and the lion and the yearling together; 

and a little child will lead them.”

(Isaiah 11:6 NIV)

 

What are you looking forward to? Depending on your age, you might anticipate retirement, a vacation, a new home, raising a family, obtaining a driver’s license, graduation, playing sports, or spending time with friends at school.

 

My husband and I recently entertained guests in our home. We looked forward to their arrival with planned and impromptu activities: fireside chats, recorded TV “Paw Patrol” episodes, BBQ ribs on the grill with homemade potato salad, bread, and coleslaw, and teaching our grandson to cast a fishing line off the dock. We dredged up old memories and created new ones.

 

Most things we look forward to are temporary. Since the pandemic erupted, precious times with friends and family have been few and far between. They come and go with ups and downs. Arrivals are followed by departures and times together are sadly followed by times apart.

 

The Bible promises much to look forward to in God’s eternal kingdom, where:

-      We will live in unity with forever relationships.

-      We will be judged by what is in our hearts.

-      We will have safety, security, and a great peace with others.

-      We will be delivered not only from evil, but from the fear of it.

This is great news!

 

Society urges us to live in the moment, focus on what is before us, and seize the day. However, during particularly stressful moments our heavenly Father gives us something bigger to look forward to, like the coming Messiah. When we walk with Jesus, our Perfect Shepherd, we have eternal hope.

 

I will rejoice in His arrival and tell others the good news. I hope you will, too!