I’ve been thinking a lot about the future lately. As I’m nearing my thirties, the things that I haven’t yet done are becoming more evident. The house that I haven’t yet bought. The husband that I haven’t yet found. The kids I want so desperately but haven’t yet had. The degree I haven’t yet earned. With each passing month comes a new realization of how fast time is going, and the feeling of a life that is seemingly passing me by.
Losing my dad just four months ago only added to these feelings. When someone you love is taken from you so soon, it puts into perspective just how fragile this life God gives us is. How every moment matters and shouldn’t be taken for granted. In my grief, I have been busy making plans for myself. I have been working to save up money for a place of my own and plan to go back to school in the fall to finish my Human Service’s degree. While these are all beautiful aspirations and God-given dreams, they don’t take away the fear of being left behind.
Be Still And Know…
In recent weeks, God has been speaking to me louder than He ever has. Maybe it’s because the COVID- 19 pandemic has allowed me time to slow down and really listen. Maybe He just knew I needed to hear Him louder. Whatever the reason, I am so thankful that His voice has echoed so boldly in my heart and mind.
The other day, God took me to these verses in the Bible:
In the distant future, when you are suffering all these things, you will finally return to the Lord your God and listen to what He tells you. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant He made with your ancestors. – Deuteronomy 4:40
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble…
Be still and know that I am God. I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. – Psalm 47:3
New Perspective
It dawned on me just how much time I had wasted by worrying about wasting time. In that moment, God gifted me with a new perspective. What if, instead of focusing my thoughts on the future, I fixed my eyes on the Lord? Wouldn’t that be a much better use of my time? After all, He already has it all figured out! He had my life mapped out while I was still in my mother’s womb. He created me! He knew the fears I would have, the trials I would face. He KNEW! So, wouldn’t it only make sense that He would also know how it all plays out?
By not trusting the Lord, I had self-inflicted so much unnecessary suffering. From that moment on, I promised myself that, no matter how hard it was, I would stop looking at the clock, stop looking for comparisons, and set my mind on things above.
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
So many things in this life are uncertain, but the one thing we can be sure of is our God. He won’t leave us nor forsake us. He has a far better plan for our lives than we can ever imagine, and a place for each of us who believes in Him. We can trust Him with all our hearts. We can stand on Him with an assurance that He will provide what we need. He is faithful. If all that we have left at the end of the day is His promise that He holds our tomorrows, then we have all we need.
In this time of profound uncertainty throughout the world, I challenge each of you to lean into Him stronger than ever before. Face fear with an unwavering faith and say, I know who holds tomorrow, so I’m not worried today.
Read also: What trust can do
