the now and the not yet

It sounds like a mystery drama on the television, the next

episode of Poirot or Miss Marple. The case of ‘the now and the not yet’ does sound rather compelling. Interestingly enough we live there most of the time in our day to day lives. The bored office worker day dreams of Friday evening when there are hours still to go before 5.30pm. She is already beginning to experience what is to come in the present yet it is still

frustratingly in the future. Her equally bored boss went out for an early lunch and has not returned. He too is dreaming of the golf course and maybe lowering his handicap. The romantic couple sit at the restaurant table looking over the top of their menus into each others’ eyes. The gypsy violin is playing in the corner. They dream of their marriage day still to come. The engagement ring says so much of promise and yet there are many preparations to be made before promise turns to reality. At a nearby table another couple gaze longingly at the menu itself; so much choice, such tantalising dishes. How they long to turn that which is only a menu of promise into a meal to savour!

 

Most of us have dreams. Some of us have had glimpses of what might be. There is always a future. In Jeremiah ch29 v11 it says, ‘“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.”’

 

For some of us however the future reality seems a long way off. Abraham was called by God to go to the land that He had given him. He never actually saw the fulfilment of it in his day. He was promised so many descendants that you wouldn’t be able to count them. But he was old and never thought it could happen, especially as his wife was well past it. He even tried to help God out which led to disastrous consequences. Abraham had all the promises but it all seemed so far away.

 

We believe that the Kingdom of God has come. When Jesus came the sick were healed, the troubled were set free, blind eyes were opened and the deaf heard. Even the leprosy sufferer was held, loved and made whole. We expect and welcome His presence amongst us. Many of us at the Norwich Vineyard have experienced his touch and known our hearts soar with love for Him. However many of us are still ill and suffer huge frustration and pain as a result. Friends die and loved ones suffer. The Kingdom has come and yet it has not yet fully come. We know Jesus will come again and then His reign and rule will be fully here. Until then we are grateful for all the signs of His coming and we wait with eager expectation, joining with all creation as we look to the coming King.