Post by Kendria Smith
I have to admit that I have seen, heard and used the phrase a lot lately—so much so that it has become a bit of a catch-all "Christianese" tag line. I have heard it proclaimed during sermons at church, seen it used as a hashtag on social media and I write it in greeting cards and text it to friends and family, especially when I want to sound spiritual but do not know exactly what to say.
In theory, "the best is yet to come" sounds like an encouraging phrase meant to provide a sense of hope and anticipation for what God has in store. But there are a few key words that have given me pause and caused me to reflect on how I would prescribe the affirmation to my own life. Do I even believe what I am telling others to believe?
"YET"
How do we define the word "yet" in "yet to come?" It can be considered a point-in-time. But when? Today? Next week? Next month? I would much rather open a birthday card from a friend or relative that read "the best is NOW to come." So if the best is coming, I'm sure many of us would really like to know when we can finally expect it!
“Living a life without faith is kind of like waiting every day for the mailman to deliver a package that you never took the time to order.”
Galatians 6:8-9 explains, "Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
This scripture speaks to our level of determination, perseverance and patience. The verses make it clear that God is much more concerned with our attitude and how we act during the waiting season, than the fact that we survive the waiting season to finally get what we want. It might be an easier journey in our Christian walk if we knew when our blessings were scheduled to occur, but "yet" requires us to shift our focus from what God can give to us and instead occupy our time with what God can do through us in the meantime.
"THE BEST"
Do you believe that God has the very BEST planned for your life? This may be a difficult question for some of us to answer. You may be thinking about your current situation, shaking your head as you read this and wondering how anything could change for the better at this point. While for others, this question may bring a smile to their faces as they consider how good God has been and the many ways they expect to see his favor in the future.
Consider the promises in His word:
· "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Psalm 84:11
· "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" Isaiah 30:18
· "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
· "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:9-10
One thing that all four of these verses have in common is the requirement of faith. How can you expect the "best to come" if you don't believe it even exists? Living a life without faith is kind of like waiting every day for the mailman to deliver a package that you never took the time to order.
I have come to realize that "the best is yet to come" should be more than a catchphrase. It should be a battle cry demanding that we extend ourselves beyond the convenient and comfortable; not only in actions, but through words, as we affirm into our reality the very best that God has already set in motion.
