But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13)
I am waiting for the day when the only reason a business adjusts its hours is for a holiday. I’m looking forward to watching live sports with real people in the stands. I want to be able to pack up my kiddos for a day out without doing a mask check before we walk out the door. I can’t wait until things go back to “normal.”
I know you’ve said things just like this. We’re all waiting. We’re all living in a season of looking forward to something—anything—else.
Really, though, this isn’t the first time I’ve lived in a season of looking forward. I do it every single year.
At the end of the summer: I can’t wait for school to start and cooler weather to settle in.
Fall: I’m looking forward to the holidays, seeing family, and getting a little break from the regular schedule.
Winter: Spring can’t get here soon enough, I want April showers followed by May flowers.
Spring: The end of the school year is so hectic, I can’t wait for relaxed bedtimes and no more alarms.
We are constantly in a state of waiting, looking forward to the next best thing. But at some point, we come to realize that the next best thing really isn’t as completely satisfying and excellent as we once thought it would be.
That’s why this week’s verse is so important. The apostle Peter writes to remind his readers of the Lord’s promise to return. He encourages them to trust in God’s timing and reassure them that the risen Savior is still coming.
And I, for one, need that encouragement and reassurance right now.
Friends, there is one thing we can look forward to that will not only be as completely satisfying and excellent as we expect, but even better. As believers, we can look forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
And we can be confident that we will not be disappointed.
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