One of my favorite questions is “And then what?” As in,“What is expected next?” As your next future event comes to pass, what follows it? Just as we search backward through time and events to find the cause of it all, we also think of the forward possibilities. How do I fit in? Where does this all go? What can I do to make life happen? There are scenarios where we simply abandon the possibilities and declare we will make future decisions when the future becomes the present. Which in reality is what we do anyway. No matter if our previous expectations and decisions have contributed to our current state or not, (and they almost always have) we make present decisions based on present circumstances. And present circumstances almost always result from previous decisions and their consequences.
Anticipation is probably best defined as foretaste. Without knowing what comes next, but having conception of what might be. Anticipation is not always an excited happy looking for future blessings, but it often is. Anticipation, which is not joyful, is referred to as dread. Promises of future state bring anticipation of possible outcomes. Life sometimes nullifies anticipation. It excuses the absence of the anticipated event which skipped reality to become fantasy. In other words, it did not happen. You thought it might. It didn’t. Therefore what you thought would be your new reality becomes fantasy, for it never is.
Anticipation is framed by age and experiences. My granddaughter became an accomplished high speed racing cart driver long before she could legally driver a car on public streets. Her parents did not think it strange. Her father is an accomplished SCCA race car driver in his own right. Her experiences observing him and a natural desire to follow in the familiar path of personal success made the expectation obvious. When she was introduced to the possibilities and responded with the interest and eagerness, the anticipation was that she would make the choices which allowed her to accomplish her desires. At an older age she might have seen such anticipation as counterproductive to her life goals. Had her father been a professional chef she might never have wrapped her fingers around the soft leather steering wheel of that racing cart. A million more examples are possible.
I personally believe the greatest format for story telling is anticipation. Whether writing a novel or recording history, it is best served with anticipation. “Always leave them wanting more”, is a sentiment which describes a future desire based on a previous knowledge or experience. The art of drawing a mental image for the audience and caressing their mind down the path to an expected point is both rewarding and titillating. Delivering the substance of their anticipation can be as evoking as twisting down an unseen path to continue the quest. In Mystery story telling it is the anticipation of the twist which itself becomes the payoff and the provider of the new anticipation.
As Christians we see things which are described in the Bible and measure our world view by them. We read of what is expected to come to pass and recognize the forerunners of those events. We eagerly examine recorded history to validate what once was the anticipation of others. There once was a promise, an expectation, a fulfilling and gloriously there was a confirmation. The level of exhilaration experienced was strongly related to the level of anticipation which the knowledge of the possibilities had before established. The greater the anticipation and the higher the possibility that it might soon come to pass results in a higher eruption of enjoyment. Even the anticipation of anticipation brings heightened rewards. If we want it to be, then we seek avenues to bring it to pass. Anticipation can be our motivator and our road map to fulfillment.
And so we ask “What then?” What do we anticipate will be the next most likely event in the fulfillment of the expected outcome? What is the next expected step or event in a young person’s life? They might anticipate graduating from High School and entering college. So it would follow that they would either get married and then graduate or reverse the order and still be found at the next “What then?” Children might be the anticipation. What then? Job promotions and job changes and the challenges of successfully raising those children. Then What? Grandchildren and a comfortable retirement and perhaps travel or a new hobby or second career. Then What? Regardless of the anticipation, regardless of the successful fulfillment or miserable failure of all which is possible, there is always the “Then what?”
Death is always an expectation. For some it may be an eagerly anticipated transition and for others a dreaded void. As Christians we are taught to joyfully anticipate the rewards awaiting the completion of our time in this life. We portray an almost giddy excitement of glories beyond our comprehension. We sing songs about it, recount tales and dwell in the deep thoughts of finally being with the one who died for us. For the unbeliever it is always an “I don’t know” moment. They may deny the reality of a next. They may assume there is a giant chalkboard with a good column and a bad column where they can hope the good outweighs the bad. They may even have another idea of what might be possible. But almost no one will have an expectation or anticipation of living for an eternity in a lake burning with fire and brimstone.
The anticipation is that the good they do will outweigh the bad or mistakes they make. They look at the realities available and believe and expect the natural normal outcome of trying to be a good person is heaven. They believe that trying to be good should not result in screaming torment and blind agony beyond human endurance. That is not going to be on anyone’s anticipation list. And yet many who believe this could be their future reality, will do nothing to change the course they are on. They falsely anticipate that somehow they will have done enough to miss hell. God leaves no question about the requirements for Heaven. Jesus said “No man comes to the Father but by Me”. Those who know Jesus as their Savior go to Heaven. Period. No exceptions. Every important thing God wants everyone to know is recorded in the Bible. If you anticipate Haven, it should be on you “Must Read” list.
But for right not, we have just about worn out this year. We are in the last days of the last month of the year which is almost past. And then what? What is our future? Who will be there with us? What choices are necessary to fulfill the fantasies we hope will become our realities? And perhaps of utmost importance, with whom will we align ourselves in our quest for the eternity we desire? Soon it will be the next year. I am anticipating so many things and working for them to happen. And then What?