"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)
For just a few minutes this morning I was foolishly worrying about the future... Will Linda and I have enough money in our retirement years? Will the little money we have saved for retirement be eroded by inflation or lost in another bad investment? Will we lose the remaining equity in our house? What if one of us becomes disabled? With very little effort, I can imagine all kinds of possible scary and depressing scenarios about the future; "What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?... No man knows what will happen." (Ecclesiastes 1:3, 10:14)
Written in my Bible is a quote from the late Theodore Epp, the founder of "Back to the Bible"; "Live your life as though Christ died yesterday, was resurrected today, and is coming back tomorrow". Whenever I get overly confident about my future or begin to worry about it, the Holy Spirt reminds me that neither my prideful overconfidence, nor my faithless worrying is pleasing to God. Despite all of our hopes, plans, and efforts, it is God alone who not only knows the future, but is in sovereign control of every detail of my life.
Setting goals and making plans that are consistent with our best understanding of God's will is a good thing, but keep those plans short term. Jesus once sent his twelve new disciples out on a road trip to some surrounding towns to preach; "...He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff---no bread, no bag, no money in their belt..." (Mark 6:8). He told them not to even bring an extra change of clothes. Why not pack more provisions for the trip just in case? After all, you never know what you might need! I think Jesus was teaching them and us this important truth-- He can be trusted to always provide what we need, when we need it; "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself."
Living life as thought Christ died yesterday, was resurrected today, and is coming back tomorrow helps me to keep my priorities right and my plans short. Constantly remembering that marvelous Gospel message--- His death on the cross for my sins and His resurrection guaranteeing my eternal life with Him, should guide every decision in this short life on earth. If the Lord is coming back tomorrow (and maybe He will), then I need to focus on making today count and not waste any of today worrying about what might or might not happen tomorrow. Trust Him!
"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) Maranatha!
