What is Your Approach to the Future?
John Osborne
The other day I was on a walk in our neighborhood and I heard a rustling in the tall grass beside me. I looked to see if there was a cat walking through the grass because that is pretty common. Not noticing one, the thought crossed my mind that perhaps it was a bird. I stopped for a moment as the noise continued. Without any expectation, out popped a little creature's head. It was not a cat or a bird. It shuffled around a bit and popped its head up again. It was a weasel. I was totally caught off guard. Was it going to stay put? Would it run away or approach? Would it feel threatened? I stood there and the weasel stood there. We looked at one another almost in shock and bewilderment. It was a fascinating moment that led into several more. I was able to take several pictures with my phone. I had never seen the weasel there before and do not know if I will see it again, but it was definitely noteworthy.
People from all walks of life are staring at the conditions of the world and their own lives. Lots of questions are being asked. With all that is going on, how does one approach the present and the future? I would ask, “Are you a stabilizing force when people talk to you about the current conditions and future?” Without sugar-coating things, “Do people find comfort in your words or do you feed people’s fear and anxiety?”
I am reminded of our ECC theme for 2024 and believe there are some things that we need to commit ourselves and others to:
#1 - For starters, our theme for the year continues to be: “Keep your eyes on Jesus.” It’s easy to stare at everything else and lose focus on what or who we need to keep our eyes on.
#2 - Know that God is never caught off guard by anything. Though on my walk the weasel caught me off guard - God is never caught off guard.
#3 - Know that God is an ever-present help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1 is a great verse to memorize and quote every day.
#4 - Trust God with your future. Though you and I may feel out of control at times and in fact may have very little control in situations - God can be trusted.
#5 - Rest in God’s Peace. Colossians 3:15 instructs us in this: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”
I am so thankful that we have Christ to build our perspective of life on. As Paul writes in Second Thessalonians 2:16-17, “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”