Look Forward But Not Too Far Ahead

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭25‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Living contently under God’s wing is one key ingredient in living a joy filled life. When we are content we tend to focus primarily on what God has in store for us here and now, instead of looking too far into the future.

James writes:

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It is human nature to act and do rather than to wait, so we can feel lax and lazy waiting upon the Lord. Slowing down and waiting for God to act rather than taking matters into our own hands can make us uncomfortable. Yet, wisdom says we must let Him dictate our pace, and feel comfort in our patience while we commune with Him daily.

It is written:

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I submit we should seek Him in planning our course, and in taking or determining any and all steps. We should avoid the now what do I do mentality and truly live as Paul suggests when he writes:

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Remember to love one another, always!

Barnabas

Special thanks to Barnabas for this guest submission.