“For surely I know the plans I have for you,
says the Lord, plans for your
welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”
~Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)
After a recent day that was as
horrendous in finishing as it was in the starting, I was given later cause to
reflect. My specific problem had been a lack of faith in the future vision of
where my life was going, vocationally. I was feeling particularly helpless.
And as I prayed I was given a
vision—a very cogent vision.
I imagined myself 20 years from
now, and, looking back from there, I was advising myself to not give up—that enduring
the sense of present setbacks would be worth it. From this vantage point,
however nebulous it was, I could see hope—the fruition of a life purpose.
Then I got to thinking how
important it is that we are all being our own best advocate for that future
version of ourselves.
If we have any reason to grow—to
become better disciples of Christ—we have our own reasons. Why would we not
grow when it is for our later benefit? Why would we not push ourselves to grow
when it could be for others’ later benefit, too?
Having Faith in Future Visions
If you are in a middle-ground
land, in a vast ocean between distant islands, perhaps even floating downstream
seemingly without a paddle, you will need a firm grasp on a future vision;
something to hope for; a purpose to strive for.
Even more so is this a pressing
reminder when we find ourselves in a helpless position. We easily get lost in a
sort of learned helplessness. We easily lose faith.
When we are battling to make sense
of the meaning in the present ‘wasted day’, we ought to remind ourselves that
God is using this
time, as much, if not more, than the seemingly fruitful time—God is using the
time, by stealth. This time when we battle for purpose is a time of
preparation. God is making good on his promise, yet we can hardly see, because
we can never see what we hope for—if we could it wouldn’t be hope.
Having faith that we are on the way to the fulfilment of our purpose is crucial.
We can remind ourselves of the
visions that God has sown into our hearts. And if a vision has not yet been
received, we pray for it. The Lord
has a plan for each of our lives; a plan to prosper us, and to make good on our
lives for service in Christ.
***
We have every reason to have faith
that God is doing something good in our lives, even through difficult present
times. We can easily imagine a future version of ourselves urging us on to
endure through this
present arduous season.
© 2012 S. J. Wickham.
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