Who Cares For Your Future?

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about it's own things. Sufficient for the day is it's own trouble." - Matthew 6:34

Earlier this month we looked at what our future is worth under God's plan, so now lets look at how we should see the future as believers of Jesus Christ. The above verse is from Jesus' teaching from Matthew 6:25-34 about trusting God, and is among the most important teachings found in the famous Sermon on the Mount. The media is filled with reports these days on the future of the world's economy and how it is going to affect us.

No matter what the experts claim, nobody can actually predict accurately everything that is going to happen next year, next month or even next week. Their best forecast are merely educated guesses. People worry about the increasing speed and extent of change as well as its unpredictability and conclude that the future is uncertain. When faced with worry, let us note that scripture gives us three principles for facing an uncertain future.

First, we must set our goals according to God's direction because He is the only one who really knows the future and He wants to guide you through it. Jeremiah 29:11 declares that His plans to give us a good future and a hope. Proverbs 16:1 can be translated as "man can make his plans but God has the final word". Planning without praying is presumption. As 2009 is coming to an end soon, we can begin by praying and asking God what HE wants us to do over the coming year.

Second, we live one day at a time. While we can plan for tomorrow, we cannot live it until it actually arrives. Don't spend time regretting the past or worrying about the future that you miss out on enjoying what God has given you today. Someone once said "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Perhaps we should decide to make the most of each moment of life. After all in Matthew 6:34 Jesus is saying "Give all your attention to what God is doing right now, and don't worry about what may or may not happen tomorrow." God will help us with difficulties when the time comes.

Third, do not procrastinate - when prompted to do something, do it NOW. Proverbs 27:1 tells us not to boast or depend on tomorrow. We do not know what will happen between now and then. Procrastinating is a subtle trap because it wastes today by postponing things until tomorrow. You want to do something for God "one of these days" but usually it becomes "none of these days". What will God put into your heart in past years that are still not done? When will you get started? Do you trust Him to help you?

In summary, let's remember that anxiety and worry are not meant to defeat the believer in Christ. Jesus gave us a completely new way of looking at life that is designed to overcome the habit of worry. In His Sermon on the Mount He gave simple examples by asking us to look at nature to see how God takes care of the birds, flowers and grass. Then He said that if God can take care of these simple things around us, He can most surely meet our needs. Jesus taught His disciples to have a divine perspective on life. He promised that those who seek God and put His kingdom first will have their needs met. Therefore, you have no need to worry about your future if you walk with Him and obey Him.