By, Joanna Alipalo
How many times have we thought or wished something along these lines, “If I only knew the future…” or “How I wish I could have a glimpse of what’s going to happen 5 years down the road.” Don’t we all sometimes think that there is comfort in the things of the future? That maybe somehow we will all feel better about the struggles of today if we can have a picture of the better days that will come.
“And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him,
Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest."
And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests;
but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
Luke 9:57-58
It is amazing to me how Jesus unapologetically portrayed His life and gave a glimpse of how it is to follow Him. It could be at times hard and uncertain. We see evidence of this all throughout the Bible!
On the other hand, He also gives us certain promises like in Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” We can’t deny that hard times will come and it may already be hard for you right now, but our future, although unseen, is SURE! Our provision is certain. Our ending as children of God is triumphant.
We do not know all the details of where the provision will come from, how deliverance will take place, or how our story will be used for the glory of God, but it is in those very moments of uncertainty that we are given the chance to exercise our faith. It is where God is on display. It is where we have the opportunity to know Him more and see Him for who He truly is. It is in the unknown moments of our lives where we are humbled, tried, and purified. Job 23:10 says, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
A few months back, I had been pondering on this thought and realized that perhaps God purposefully designed us to have limits on what we know not because He is mean, but because He is merciful. I mean, if I knew everything that I’d have to go through this life I think I’d be terrified to take another breath! Talk about stolen joy! But God is so good to us, He does not want us to carry the burdens of what is to come. He does not want us to live in constant fear, waiting for the next trial and just be forced to hide under a rock. He wants us to live for today and to focus on what is before us right at this very moment.
We can then freely laugh and enjoy the good times as they come, and we can focus on serving and loving others. At the same time, we can look at the hardships and take heart for they will not last forever. It is hard, I know, but it is possible for we have Jesus who is the most sure thing on Earth.
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