My Future 101

by Donald Cantrell

It is Monday and my granddaughter has 3 ½ days of school left. I picked her up at the school and asked her the daily questions, “How did your day go?” and “What all did you do?” Sometimes I get a shoulder shrug, which implies I don’t want to discuss it, but at other times, she is giddy with needful information to share with me.

Well, today was one of those days of giddiness, as she told me that she had to write a story about their future. Kinsley is all of nine years old, and her entire future lies ahead of her, but she remembers when she was younger. I could tell that she was excited to discuss her story, so I waited patiently.

As we talked, one of her classmates was standing beside us and she told me she envisioned herself wearing glasses in the future. Then Kinsley told me that she saw herself being married and being a mom. As I pondered her words, I thought about Joseph and his dreams. He seemed to have his future all boxed up in a neat little box and topped it off with a colorful little bow. Joseph could envision his future, and he would quickly share his dreams with anyone that was willing to listen.

Why would any of us envision the pits of life into our future vision? Joseph did not see the pit or the prison in his life, but God did. I don’t know about you, but I would love to live my life like Joseph did for the first seventeen years of his life. He was favored, he was a dreamer, and he envisioned a swift rise to the top, but never the pit and definitely never the prison.

Providence

The word “Providence” is made up of two words: • Pro means “before” and Video means “to see” • The word “Providence” simply means “to see before” So, when we talk about the providence of God, we mean that God “sees before” and plans accordingly.

Joseph only knew that one day he would rule and reign over his entire family, but he could not see that God would need him to become a slave to do so. If he had known the plan, he may have said no way. I wonder how you envision your future. Are you where you thought you would be at this stage in your life? Most likely, you are not, but is that a bad thing?

In considering “My Future 101,” we must realize that life is not always boxed up so neat and tidy, with a nice little red bow on top. In reality, there will be times when life is messy, foggy, and at times filled with pitfalls, but even in those times, God has a divine plan. “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee” (Psa. 56:3, KJV).

Ultimately, Joseph was able to accept that the pits of life and the prisons of life were part of a much bigger plan. I challenge you to trust in God and do the same thing when facing changes to your plans and your future. “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive” (Gen. 50:20, KJV). There is something beautiful and wonderful in hearing a child proclaim: “Today we had to write a story about our future.” Stand firm my dear friend, the Lord is not done writing your story.

About The Author Donald Cantrell is a lifelong native of Murray county and has been pastoring and preaching since 1980. He has had the honor of publishing over thirty books and his sermon material is sold all over the world by various online companies. If you visit his house any weekend in the fall you will find them watching the “Florida Gators or the New England Patriots… Chomp Chomp.”