I hate endings, but I find myself racing toward them. Then when I get to the finish line I find that I miss the process. I suffer from the day after let-down. Anticipation is better than remembrance. So why am I in such a rush? I find this race to finish ironic. Quickly, let’s finish our classes before Christmas break. And while we’re at it, let’s finish our Christmas shopping, and our holiday plans, and year-end reports, and, and, and. But what happens when we finish? … It’s done. Then what?
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon says, “Vanity of vainities! All is vanity….A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 ESV) After spending eleven chapters convincing us of the fleeting nature of life, he ends with this advice, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1 ESV)
I know 2024 is almost finished, but instead of hurrying to 2025, I would like to enjoy the rest of it. The Bible says that Joshua was able to ask God to make the sun stand still. I would like to ask him to do that for me. Let me delight in this moment, savor my work, and rejoice in every encounter. Instead of saying, “I can’t wait for Christmas,” let me say, “I want to anticipate Christmas.” I hope it will take a while to get here.