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Good morning.  Students from across the country have recently graduated from University. The excitement of young people having completed their degrees is a joy to see - and for most there is relief that they have finally ‘reached the end’ of revision and exams.

After relief comes anticipation, as they embark on the next journey of their lives - whether that might be employment or further education.

There is a sense of expectancy and hope as we imagine - and attempt to predict - the desired outcome in or lives; that we get that job; or give the best ever acceptance speech; or move house; or finally fall in love; and live happily ever after.

A gripping story uses anticipation to keep us hooked.
When I was younger, I was allowed to watch half an hour of the Australian soap, ‘Neighbours’ after school.  I was thoroughly addicted, and watched with breathless anticipation, eager to see what ingenious plan we would get the rowing neighbours of Ramsey Street out of their predicaments. And then - minutes before the end – yet another subplot was introduced, and this new cliff-hanger was swiftly followed by the familiar theme-tune as the credits rolled.  And all I could think about was WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT.

David Hume in his book ‘A Treatise of Human Nature’ said. ‘Anticipation of pleasure is, in itself, a very considerable pleasure’. Something which is about to happen can sometimes be even nicer than the experience itself, or it can give us a mixture of feelings: excitement as we wait to hear whether the new baby is a boy or a girl; or trepidation, awaiting the results of a medical test.

So as we look forward anticipation, recognition of change and new opportunities may we all realise the joy of hope in that future which is as yet unknown.  Amen.