I read the following short devotional this morning and thought that it was very appropriate for things that we are planning and praying for now. Maybe it can be a word of encouragement to you as well:
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Cor 2:9)
It was surprising, the difference between his two daughters. Emily, the oldest, demanded details. She wanted to know about every aspect of the trip ahead of time. Where they were going, what they were doing-- as if she would decide whether or not the Grand Canyon was worth her while.
Sydney, however, just waited in trust. Her dad had planned it. That was enough.
While he was happy to see Emily grow up and take control of her life, he couldn't help but feel sad this vacation. She was losing something: a life of loving trust. The more Emily opened her eyes, the less she could actually see. By focusing on the details of the trip, she lost sight of her relationship with her father. She looked forward to the future because she knew what it held, not because it came from someone who loved her.
How do you face uncertain future?
Loss enters your life and it takes. It takes your job. Your health. Your wife. But it also gives. It gives you a painful uncertainty. How do you go on?
Some demand details from God. "Give me just a glimpse of your plan," they say. With that they think they would be satisfied. But Paul invites us instead to be children who wait in wonder. "God's ways are beyond our understanding," he says.
When Christ enters your life, he takes. He takes your sin, dying under its punishment. Yet he also gives. He rose from the death to give you life-- eternal life-- and a divine future.
"Don't demand details from God," Paul says. Trust. Wait. Like a child. The ways of God are filled with love beyond your understanding.
In faith, we face the future not because we know what that future holds, but because we know the one who holds it. And we trust that "he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).
Heavenly Father, in times of uncertainty, help me to wait in wonder, trusting that Jesus holds my future in his wounded hands. Amen.
(Schmitt, David R. Man of God: Strong to Serve. Fenton: CTA, 2013.)
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Cor 2:9)
It was surprising, the difference between his two daughters. Emily, the oldest, demanded details. She wanted to know about every aspect of the trip ahead of time. Where they were going, what they were doing-- as if she would decide whether or not the Grand Canyon was worth her while.
Sydney, however, just waited in trust. Her dad had planned it. That was enough.
While he was happy to see Emily grow up and take control of her life, he couldn't help but feel sad this vacation. She was losing something: a life of loving trust. The more Emily opened her eyes, the less she could actually see. By focusing on the details of the trip, she lost sight of her relationship with her father. She looked forward to the future because she knew what it held, not because it came from someone who loved her.
How do you face uncertain future?
Loss enters your life and it takes. It takes your job. Your health. Your wife. But it also gives. It gives you a painful uncertainty. How do you go on?
Some demand details from God. "Give me just a glimpse of your plan," they say. With that they think they would be satisfied. But Paul invites us instead to be children who wait in wonder. "God's ways are beyond our understanding," he says.
When Christ enters your life, he takes. He takes your sin, dying under its punishment. Yet he also gives. He rose from the death to give you life-- eternal life-- and a divine future.
"Don't demand details from God," Paul says. Trust. Wait. Like a child. The ways of God are filled with love beyond your understanding.
In faith, we face the future not because we know what that future holds, but because we know the one who holds it. And we trust that "he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).
Heavenly Father, in times of uncertainty, help me to wait in wonder, trusting that Jesus holds my future in his wounded hands. Amen.
(Schmitt, David R. Man of God: Strong to Serve. Fenton: CTA, 2013.)
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