Earlier this fall, Tom and I took Annalyn and Gracie to the Renaisssance Festival. The weather was perfect. The crowds weren't overwhelming. And we had great coupons for admission tickets. There was only one downside to the experience.
Once I got past all the costumes, some more atuned to the Renaissance period than others, I began noticing the booths. It seemed like nearly every other one was for tarot or "psychic" readings. Yikes!
Mama Bear kicked into full on protection mode for Annalyn and Gracie. At eleven and going on five, little eyes and minds are so easily led astray.
Reflecting a little later, I realized that most of us dabble in fortune telling. What?
Do we check the weather forecast before planning an event? Or NASDAQ before investing? Perhaps it's the runway shows that focus our attention on future wardrobe purchases.
The thing is, Dear Reader, if we named and claimed God's promise about the future, maybe we could relax and enjoy the present more.
Mama Bear kicked into full on protection mode for Annalyn and Gracie. At eleven and going on five, little eyes and minds are so easily led astray.
Reflecting a little later, I realized that most of us dabble in fortune telling. What?
Do we check the weather forecast before planning an event? Or NASDAQ before investing? Perhaps it's the runway shows that focus our attention on future wardrobe purchases.
The thing is, Dear Reader, if we named and claimed God's promise about the future, maybe we could relax and enjoy the present more.
I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering.
Jeremiah 29:11 CEV
In Job 39, the Lord describes how the ostrich drops her egg upon the ground, then runs off. She is uncaring of its safety or outcome.
Be truthful, Dear Reader, in moments of frustration, have you ever thought of the Lord in that way? Have you felt like He just plopped you on the planet, and then deserted you?
I have.
Trusting is hard for me. There, I've said it. Too often my cynical brain takes over and strips me of hope. And it's saddening to me that I don't trust the Lord more.
But, God...
Be truthful, Dear Reader, in moments of frustration, have you ever thought of the Lord in that way? Have you felt like He just plopped you on the planet, and then deserted you?
I have.
Trusting is hard for me. There, I've said it. Too often my cynical brain takes over and strips me of hope. And it's saddening to me that I don't trust the Lord more.
But, God...
My health fails; my spirits droop, yet God remains! He is the strength of my heart; he is mine forever!
Psalm 73:26 TLB
There are times when it seems impossible to hope. Have you been there, Dear Reader? When a faltering economy and genetics robbed us of jobs, home, and child in quick succession, I didn't think I would ever hope beyond tomorrow, much less for the future, again.
But God...
When we are desperate for a reason to believe we have a future of hope and success, the Lord has shared in His Word exactly what we need to do.
But God...
When we are desperate for a reason to believe we have a future of hope and success, the Lord has shared in His Word exactly what we need to do.
11 I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord;
yea, I will remember thy wonders of old.
12 I will meditate on all thy work,
and muse on thy mighty deeds.
Psalm 77: 11-12 RSV
When we can't seem to look forward because of the hot mess that threatens to drown us, we can look back. Every day the sun comes up is a miracle. Every drop of rain that falls is an engineering wonder. All we need to do is drag our eyes and hearts out of the pain to see God's amazing hand all around us.
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
be alert for signs of his presence. (MSG)
Remember the amazing things he has done.
Remember his miracles and his fair decisions. (ERV)
Psalm 105: 4-5
And when my temporal mind finds the struggle for hope overwhelming, all I have to do is look at my worn Bible. His Book of love letters and wonders is literally at my fingertips. And I recall what the Lord keeps reassuring me. The best reason of all to trust His promise of a future of hope and success was given on a Sabbath morning.
8-10 The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. “Good morning!” he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, “You’re holding on to me for dear life! Don’t be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I’ll meet them there.”
Matthew 28: 8-10 MSG
Dearest Reader, my greatest prayer for you is that you live in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and that you joyfully, confidently claim His promise for a future of hope and success.
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