“For He performs what is appointed for me, and many such things are with Him.” Job 23:14

Trusting For the Future

When I was little, I would sit outside the bathroom door where my mom had just disappeared, and I would ask, “What are you doing?” and “When are you coming out?” Whenever we would get in the car to go somewhere, I would ask, “Are we there yet?” and “Where are we going?” and “How do we get there?”

This “need to know” carried on into adulthood. I am not fond of surprise parties because I will not know what to wear (or, more to the point, what everyone else is wearing). One time a girlfriend planned “an event” for us to attend; when I balked and begged her to “just tell me what it is,” she only said I should bring a pair of flip-flops (it turned out to be a pedicure.) When my husband planned a special weekend away, he refused to give me details, except to bring a bathing suit (it was a beautiful hotel room with a hot tub and fireplace in it.)

I suppose I just don’t like the feeling of being unprepared, and I don’t like to feel like “odd man out,” like everyone else knows what’s going on except me. But I’m changing because of my long walk with God. I’m learning that God brings what we need, whether our need is for information, or provision, or merely what’s next.

God brought Eve to Adam. Adam did not go looking for her.

God brought the animals to Noah. Noah did not go out to find them.

God brought visions to His prophets on an as-needed basis, and usually they did not go looking for them.

God brought the big fish to swallow Jonah.

God brought (or sent) the Holy Spirit to His brand new church so it could be built up.

This can be seen from the beginning to the end of the Bible.

This morning I began to pray, as I so often do, that God would show me what to do “next.” I immediately remembered just a few weeks ago that while I was minding my own business during shelter-in-place instructions, God brought me a paying job I could do at home, without my asking for it. The job was a perfect fit for me. I had no idea it was coming. I did not seek it. But He knew it was “the next thing” I was supposed to do. I sought counsel from godly friends, and everyone encouraged me to do it.

So my prayer changed from “Show me” to “You will show me.” This may seem like a subtle shift to you, dear readers, but to me, a person who has always wanted to know what is around the corner, it is freeing. It’s a release from the feeling of having to control what comes. It’s breaking a chain of fear about what may be hidden and approaching. It delivers me from anxiety of looking for it or planning it—God will bring it.

I don’t know if Noah spent sleepless nights after God said he was to bring “two of EVERY KIND” of animal onto the ark. I don’t know if he planned worldwide routes to locate them; or if he thought he would have to turn over every leaf of every plant to find the creeping things; or if he dreamed of putting nets between trees to catch every kind of bird. If so, he needn’t have wasted his time. God has authority over ALL THINGS, and can simply bring what’s next.

Lord, You work in amazing ways, and we are ever in awe of You. We trust You with our futures. Amen.