Dog Day Anticipation

August is known as “the dog days” of summer. August seems to either fit into one of two categories. It is either a month where you try to cram is as much summer as you can before school starts, or you endure it as the last few moments before life gets back into the regular fall routine. Either way, August has as definite opinion.

Kids view August one way, parents and teachers another. However, both groups are anticipating what is to come. Both groups know that something is coming. That something is the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year. Even those who don’t have kids in school understand this. There is just something different about life when the kids of the congregation are in school. As a result, some are looking forward to the arrival while others dread it. But it can’t be ignored. Something big is coming.

But that is exactly the same kind of anticipation that we Christians are called to feel about every day of our lives. You and I are living right now in the “dog days” not only of August, but also of all time. As each day flies by, we grow that much closer to the time when Jesus returns and our Heavenly Father sends the New Heaven and the New Earth to be our dwelling forever.

This may not make too many people in our world seem all that eager. When Jesus comes, there will be an end to all that we tend to hold so dear. Our leisure, our possession and our labor will all cease. This is what we are heading for. For many it is fearful. But for the Christian, it is anticipated with joy!

We live our lives of faith in constant anticipation of the return of Christ. Either at our death or at the end of time, we know that Christ will come to take us to be with Him for eternity. We can ignore it. We can try to squeeze in as much life as we can before it happens. But no matter what, it comes.

So as we anticipate, we are made ready. That is what the Divine Service, Bible Study, Sunday School and Christ Care is all for. All of these are instruments that God uses to help us in our anticipation. They are there for our good. Use them! Don’t ignore them. Work them into your schedule on a weekly basis. Work them into your remaining summer schedule. The anticipation will only be heightened and you will be blessed! Then, when the day arrives and your anticipation is turned to joy, you will understand that it was all worth the effort. The effort that Christ has laid out on your behalf! See you in Church!