“So you have a big week this week!” exclaimed Diane when she saw me Tuesday morning.

Diane’s our excellent bookkeeper at the church and is only in on Tuesdays.

“Sure do,” I replied.

She was, of course, referring to Justin and Maria’s wedding this Saturday. And to say that we’re a bit preoccupied at the Benedict house right now would be an understatement.

“When do Josh, Alaina, and Evan arrive?” she asked.

“They fly into Newark tonight. Pam’s picking them up because I have a CrossNet board meeting.”

It was probably wise to ask Isaac to preach last Sunday and John to preach this Sunday. It’s not that I’m not working—you’re reading this, after all—but pulling together a sermon and preaching the morning after a wedding didn’t seem smart.

A lot goes into a wedding, even for the parents of the groom.

Pam and I are helping wherever needed. Right now, we’re coordinating the setup and removal of tables and chairs at the outdoor venue and picking up the wedding cake. The wedding’s being held at a beautiful Esh family picnic grove in Narvon, where Maria’s family holds reunions each summer. It’s a lovely location, but there’s a bit more work involved than simply showing up at a prepared wedding venue. Of course, we’re also hosting a rehearsal dinner on Friday evening and hope to assist with any loose ends that develop as the weekend unfolds.

Add to that Josh, Alaina, and Evan coming from Germany, Amanda and Patrick from Richmond, and Katelyn flying in from Colorado, and we’re running a little hot these days. Busy? Yes. But excited too. There’s something special about having all the kids under one roof again.

With a big event like that just on the horizon, I’ve noticed that wedding details are never very far from my mind. It’s running like an app in the back of my head, constantly sending notifications throughout the day:

• Ding… don’t forget to install the car seat for the baby.
• Ding… stock up on fruits and vegetables. Amanda’s a vegetarian.
• Ding… sweep off the sidewalk leading around to the basement apartment where Josh and Alaina will be staying.
• Ding… coordinate with Larry Eby and Kevin Martin about the truck and trailer to move tables and chairs.

I’m keeping a to-do list, but I don’t really need one. The important things keep popping into my head at random moments throughout the day (and at night!).

What’s interesting is that it doesn’t feel burdensome. It’s actually fun and energizing.

I’m living normal life—going to meetings, answering emails, writing devotionals, mowing grass, paying bills—but all of it is being lived in light of a much bigger event that’s rapidly approaching. There’s a joy in it. A sense of anticipation. A constant awareness that something significant is just around the corner.

At this point, you probably see where this is headed.

Last Sunday, Pastor Isaac preached from Luke 18, the Parable of the Persistent Widow. In his message, he highlighted something I hadn’t noticed much before: the entire parable is framed by the return of Christ. Jesus concludes by asking, “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).

The Western church doesn’t talk much about the return of Christ, and that’s unfortunate. The New Testament writers spoke about it constantly. They expected believers to live with an ongoing awareness that Jesus could return at any moment.

Not in a fearful or anxious way. But in a hopeful, joyful, expectancy-filled way.

In fact, I think Christ’s return is meant to function much like the anticipation of this wedding has been functioning in my life. How?

1. Anticipation centers us on what is Ultimately Real.

The wedding has occupied our thoughts for weeks. Not every moment, of course, but it’s never far away. In the same way, Christians are called to live with an ongoing awareness that Jesus IS coming again. Paul describes believers as those who are “waiting for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Our citizenship is in heaven, “and we eagerly await a Savior from there” (Philippians 3:20).

Christians aren’t people who simply believe certain things. We are people waiting for Someone. And that reality shapes how we view this current life.

2. Anticipation reshapes priorities.

I’ve made dozens of decisions over the last month because a wedding is coming. Schedules have been rearranged. Projects postponed. Time allocated differently. Why? Because something important is approaching.

The Bible says the same should be true of us spiritually. “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). The expectation of seeing Jesus changes how we live today. It influences our decisions, values, relationships, and even our use of time.

3. Anticipation produces both joy and endurance.

We love Maria and are so excited for our son. It’s hard to believe the day is almost here! And it’s hardly a sacrifice to prepare… but there has been a lot of additional work and expense.  But is it worth it?  You bet!

Likewise, the hope of Christ’s return helps us endure the ordinary and sometimes difficult parts of life. James encourages suffering believers to “be patient… because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:8). Future joy strengthens present faithfulness.

4. Anticipation motivates preparation.

Nobody wants to realize on the wedding day they forgot to buy their tie or order flowers. Anticipation naturally leads to preparation.

Jesus told many parables urging us to be ready for His return. The issue isn’t whether we believe He’s coming, but whether we’re getting ready for it. Are we walking moment-by-moment with Him and investing in things that matter for eternity?

5. Anticipation gives significance to ordinary tasks.

Installing a car seat isn’t the wedding. Sweeping the sidewalk isn’t the wedding. Nor is buying groceries. But all those things matter because of the wedding.

The same is true spiritually. Going to work. Serving your family. Praying. Encouraging a friend. Showing up at church. Loving your neighbor. These ordinary acts of faithfulness matter because they are connected to something much bigger. Paul concludes his great resurrection chapter by saying, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

6. The future gives meaning to the present.

As I write this, Courtney Hurst dropped off a stroller we are borrowing for Evan.  Larry just dropped by and gave me instructions on his trailer. The wedding hasn’t happened yet but it’s coming is still shaping how I live today.

And that’s exactly how Jesus intends His return to function in our lives.

Not as dry abstract theology, but as a living hope quietly running in the background of our soul. It keeps us watchful, faithful, joyful, prepared, and engaged in the work He has given us to do.

And one day, the waiting will be over. The Bridegroom will arrive. And all of God’s people will finally be home. See you at the reception!