A Big, Scary Future
Acts 21: 1-16
In Acts 21, as Paul prepares to go to Jerusalem, knowing that he will be met with looming danger and uncertainty about his well being, he exhibits remarkable faith in God, as is evidenced by his resolve. Furthermore, the remarks of the group that had previously been attempting to dissuade him from going to Jerusalem is simple, yet notable: “The Lord’s will be done.” As I ponder my own uncertainty and wonder about the future, I have often held fast to this phrase. However, I often have difficulty really trusting and buying into it in the sacrificial, all-encompassing way that Paul does.
As I’ve attended church in San Luis Obispo over the last few weeks, I’ve been struck by several poignant sermons relating to God’s will for us, especially as we discern our paths for the future. These messages have contained themes about championing our God-given purpose over worldly desires, trusting in God’s timing, and keeping priorities in order. I find a lot of comfort in the idea that we, as individuals, don’t have to have everything figured out, but that we can instead trust in God to carry the burden of discerning our futures.
I’ve also found solace in the idea of leaning into God’s “unforced rhythms of grace” (Matthew 11: 28-30). To me, I think that leaning into God as I plan for the future is a way of “letting go” of my own anxious, short-sighted planning capabilities and instead embracing God’s rhythm for the future – one that is abounding in grace. I hope for a future that is not the product of my own contrived efforts and small-minded ideas about life, but is instead expertly crafted by a Creator who could dream up a future that is leaps and bounds better than anything I could ever imagine.
I’ve written in the past about Psalm 23, and one of my key takeaways from this passage is that we are called to find rest and peace even amidst our struggles and fears – not just once we overcome them or finally arrive on the “other side” of whatever hardship we are experiencing. I have come to believe that this applies to our plans for the future as well – God calls us to rest and find peace even amidst persistent uncertainty about what is coming as we look forward.
So what does this mean for me and my life? As a senior in college (who is admittedly unreasonably anxious about the looming uncertainty that is coming after graduation), I’ve been leaning heavily into these various pieces of wisdom. The mantras I’ve been holding on to are:
I don’t have to carry the weight of this uncertainty by myself – God is holding this weight with me.
The future that God has in store for me is good. Time and time again, I have seen Him provide for me by creating a path for me that is better than anything I could have personally conceived of.
I can, and must, practice finding peace even amidst the uncertainty in my life.
I invite you to ponder: What do you hold onto when pondering uncertainty about the future? What characteristics of God help to show you that we can trust His plans for our future?