Consideration of Our Future

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2019 3:45 pm Post subject: Consideration of Our Future

Consideration of Our Future

Scripture:

For who among men is he that can know the counsel of God, or who can think what the will of God is? For the thoughts of mortal men are fearful, and our counsels uncertain. For the corruptible body is a load upon the soul, and the earthly habitation presses down the mind that muses upon many things. And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth: and with labor do we find the things that are before us. But the things that are in heaven, who shall search out? And who shall know your thought, except you give wisdom, and send your Holy Spirit from above: And so the ways of them that are upon earth may be corrected, and men may learn the things that please you? ( Wisdom 9:13-18 )

For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas you are such a one, as Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ. I beseech you for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus, whom I have sent back to you. And do you receive him as my own depths. Whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel. But without your counsel I would do nothing: that your good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from you that you might receive him again for ever: Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me. But how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord? If therefore you count me a partner, receive him as myself. (Philemon 9-10, 12-17)

And there went great multitudes with him. And turning, he said to them: If any man come to me, and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, having a mind to build a tower, does not first sit down and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it: Lest, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mock him, saying: This man began to build and was not able to finish. Or, what king, about to go to make war against another king, does not first sit down and think whether he be able, with ten thousand, to meet him that, with twenty thousand, comes against him? Or else, while the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desires conditions of peace. So likewise every one of you that does not renounce all that he possesses cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:25-33)

Reflection:

The flow of time contains past, present, and future. What is past cannot be undone, but it remains with us for our analysis from which we learn and through which our experience is formed. What is present builds from moments past which lead to and influence our choices and decisions of the moment. What comes of our future begins with what forms the values, environment, and range of choices before us as we travel the path of life. Despite our plans and intentions, there are many variables well beyond what we may control. All swirl together as we look to our future from our present, which quickly becomes our past.

What we do in the moment becomes past, but also sets in motion what shall influence our future. Each day we wake, we do not know if we shall remain such that we might enter into sleep for the night. Still, if we do not look to our future, if we do not prepare, if we do not plan, our future is left to the wind and the whims of others and the environment in which we exist.

We know that if we do not plan, we leave ourselves unprepared for what comes. If we do not learn, we cannot grow in knowledge or wisdom or what may come from their application. If we do not acquire skills, we are limited in the value we generate, what we can do for others, and what we can do for ourselves. Whatever our status, though, we must trust what God can do with us. If we love Him and turn to Him, He will guide our hearts to the purpose for which He created us and will enable us to help accomplish His will.

We cannot predict all things, but we must consider, what will we do for our future, not only for our survival and sustenance, but for what we desire from our living? Some only look to travel the milestones of culture and society. They do not think beyond this world, but only what may be achieved within it. They calculate their days and their choices by only what will come as they march to whatever milestone is before them. Others do not care about milestones, but still do not look beyond the world. They know not their meaning, for they simply exist until the day they are gone. That which comes from dust and returns to dust, the universe shall not remember, for decay consumes the evidence and memory of all purpose and meaning.

The child which seeks to be with God, though, looks not only to the vocation to which God calls them in this world, but also to the place to which they are called within the kingdom of God. To give meaning to their choices, God gave each child of His creation freewill, but with freewill comes responsibilities and consequences.

The evil one seeks to confound the children of God's creation. He seeks to distract them from the truth of God's Holy Word and that which is right and just. The desire of God is that we should not be distracted from Him, therefore, He calls us to hate the world in comparison to what He asks of us, for what He asks of us is to share the blessing of love. If we love God above all else, then, there is nothing which shall separate us from Him or the work He would have us do in accomplishment of His will.

Let us, then, seek God in prayer. Let us seek the counsel of His wisdom so that good choices shall come from us. Let us ask Him to speak to our heart and allow Him to guide us to all which is good. Let us, then, allow Him to guide our relationships and our decisions so that not our will, but His will be done.

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways do we plan for the world and what is beyond the world?

What is the meaning of voluntarily doing what is right and just rather than that to which we are involuntarily forced?

What do we put before God and what obstacle does that place before us?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier