on the threshold of fulfilled time

I was reading one of the commentators on this week's texts and they used this phrase that caught me - "on the threshold of fulfilled time."
All of this week's texts deal with the struggle and blessing of the concept of time. I think this is a pretty relevant theme in all of our prayer/faith lives. God's promises are sure, and we can trust them, but they're not always on our timeline.
This week's texts all have some promise from God and yet some uncertainty of timing, some sense of being right on the threshold, of awaiting that moment to come at any time:

• In Genesis (15:1-6), Abram (soon to be Abraham) is promised that his descendants are to be as numerous in the stars in the sky. But when? And now of all times - when Abram and Sarah are old and have "continued childless" - now to be on the threshold of this promise?
  
• In Hebrews (11:1-3, 8-16), we have this week the famous line "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." But in this passage there is also the promise that God has prepared a city for the believers, a heavenly country. This makes us think - ok - now when is that? We stand with
  
• Hthe writer and original audience of Hebrews at the threshold of the city God is preparing for us. We stand on the threshold of the things we hoped for coming true . . .
  
• In the gospel text, Luke 12:32-40, we have three separate mini-passages. The latter two are parables, both which have imagery of people literally waiting on the threshold for the master to return and of the Son of Man coming in a surprise, like a thief in the night. This is the eschatological (end-time) threshold, of the return of Christ, and maybe the most mysterious to us of God's threshold promises.
  

In all of these we are urged to be alert, ready. These are urgent, important, relevant promises of God which impact lives in real ways both in the world of the texts and in our world today. But amid all this hurrying, alertness, and strong promises, we are told not to fear.

How does it feel to stand on the threshold?
You and I stand on the threshold of God's promises daily. We are given these sure assurances, convictions, faith, but what do you see when you stand on the threshold and look ahead? Are you fearful? I know I am sometimes.
How do we live with this in the tension of the opening lines of this week's gospel: "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Peace+

Vicar Brett