We can all relate to arrival of a flight where loved ones are coming or going. We can also understand all of us arriving at a place where we can pin point on a map. Arrival is the action or process of arriving. Okay, that is a simple definition but can we truly claim that we have arrived? Yes, if it is a destination on a map. No, if it is where we think we want to go. Just as soon as we think we have arrived, then the rules change. We can think we have arrived at the retirement age where all will be great but the rules change. We have to search for another arrival point. A person may announce their arrival at a physical location, but can we announce our arrival in life? A high school football player may have desires of arrival at college a football star, but does not quite make it. They could spend the rest of their life wishing for football stardom and be depressed the rest of their life. They could move on to a new arrival point. It is their choice. Do we ever truly reach our arrival point where we can say yes, I have arrived? I believe we should remain in a state of preparation. The ultimate arrival point is yet to be revealed.
When I retired from my profession, I taught a little and gained a huge respect for teachers who make a career out of sharing knowledge with others. I have been active in ministry for 20 years though have scaled back a bit. Have I arrived at a sweet spot where I can set back and relaxed? NO! I believe we are put on this earth to be in a continuous mode of preparation for the next step, until we are called home. After retiring from my career as an Engineer and Project Manager, I started writing. This blog post will be my 172nd posting since 2014. Do I plan to stop? No! In fact, stay tuned as my writing has now expanded to my first book called “Sticks and Stones” just published. You can order it on Amazon now and will be on book shelves around the country in printed and electronic form in a few more weeks. Can I then say, I have arrived? No, as new opportunities are always available until my time here on earth comes to an end. The peace of what is to come keeps me grounded on the search for my next arrival.
Someone asked me the other day what does advent mean. If we search the definition, one of the synonyms is arrival. In Christian belief, it is a time of waiting and preparation for the first and second coming of Jesus. In Luke 3:3-6, John was a voice crying in the wilderness telling anyone who would hear to make yourself ready. That was good advise thousands of years ago and still sound advise now. We never really can say that we have arrived at our destination in life. However, we should prepare ourselves for our salvation through His arrival.
T