Revelation 21:6; John 15:1-8; Daniel 3:16-26
Introduction
As young adults, we often find ourselves standing at the threshold of an unknown future, filled with uncertainties and questions about what lies ahead. It's a time of transition, growth, and decision-making. In such moments, it's natural to feel anxious or overwhelmed by the uncertainties of life.
Call her Afi, a young adult in her late thirties sits before me and speaks in a discouraged tone,
"Papa, it's so hard to fully hope in God with my future at this age when I can not see any sign. I... I mean... I have not lost my faith... I want to trust God... but it's just really hard for me. What if I never get married and have children?"
She kept pouring out all her fears for the future while shedding some heartbroken tears. She was single after many failed relationships and wondered if marriage would ever become a reality in her life.
I encounter people in such a state of despair who are engulfed with so much fear of the worst ahead in their lives quite often in my line of work.
"What if I never get married?"
"What if my benefactor dies?"
"What if I'm left alone without anyone?"
"What if this job fails?"
"What if I'm not able to do what God is calling me to do?"
"What if I fail in the exams again?"
"What if...?" "What if...?" What if...?
Worrying about the “what ifs...?” can be the biggest enemy of our peace and joy in this life. Believe me, I know this from personal experience and it is not a joke. In fact, I have several “what ifs...” in my own life even right now. Life is full of unknowns and that will never change.
The All-knowing God
I was on the road one day when I saw an inscription behind a car ahead of me, "Don't be afraid to trust the unknown to the all-knowing God." Immediately, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the transcending power of God without limitations. Jesus Christ being the Alpha and the Omega is an indication of being all-knowing and trustworthy of possessing our unknown future.
Bible Exploration
Let's reflect upon the profound truth that Jesus Christ is indeed the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, a trustworthy partner of all our fears and uncertainties in the future.
In Revelation 21:6, we are reminded that Christ is the One who holds our past, present, and future in His hands. As we navigate the uncertainties of life, particularly in our youthful years, it can be comforting to know that we serve a God who sees all, knows all, and controls all.
In Christ, We Conquer the Future
In the Gospel of John 15:1-8, Jesus uses the analogy of the vine and the branches to illustrate our relationship with Him. Just as branches draw their sustenance and life from the vine, so are we called to remain connected to Christ, the source of all wisdom and strength.
Precious one, as we stand on the threshold of adulthood, facing the unknown future with all its challenges and opportunities, we can take solace in the fact that we are not alone. With Jesus as our anchor, we can weather any storm and bear much fruit in His name.
When we face the "what ifs" of our lives, we are reminded that abiding in Christ is all that we need. "Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." The "what ifs" of marriage, job, sickness, finance, projects, even spiritual warfare, etc., are worked on only in Him. He is the only one who carries all our burdens when we cast them on Him (Matt. 11:28).
We are highly admonished to "Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalms 55:22). It is a call to hand the unknown future to the One who knows the end from the beginning if we are determined enough to possess the unknown.
Beloved in Christ, sometimes, our "what ifs" are not growing out of laziness or disbelief but out of even positioning ourselves for God's mercy and grace which seem never coming. The Psalmist says, "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday." (Psalms 37:5-6). It is still worth waiting for God's time, my dear.
Boldness in Uncertainty
The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:16-26 exemplifies unwavering faith in the face of uncertainty. When confronted with the fiery furnace, they declared,
"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Their trust in God's sovereignty, even when the outcome was unknown, is a powerful reminder of how we can approach the future with faith and courage.
Where will your pride lead you?
King Nebuchadnezzar behaviour serves as a cautionary tale of pride and arrogance. In his foolishness, he failed to acknowledge the supremarcy and sovereignty of God and instead trusted in his own power and position.
This bad character is not alien to us today. In our youthful years when authority, power, position, fame, and riches are bestowed on us. We turn to live in the fool's paradise as though we hold tomorrow in our own hands, forgetting that whatever we have is not permanent.
If Nebuchadnezzar lost his kingdom and dignity as human because of pride (Dan. 4:28-33), where will your pride lead you? Why this abuse of power? Why do you maltreat people under you? Why the violence against others? Think through...
When someone finds God's mercy, he is tempted to assume that all others are lazy.
As young adults, we often grapple with questions about our future, career paths, relationships, and purpose. It's natural to feel apprehensive about the unknown. However, we are not alone in this journey,
"He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”"
Nebuchadnezzar saw Jesus, the Son of God, the Alpha and the Omega, the One who knows and holds the end from the beginning. Christ is with us in our burning furnace, He holds our future in His hands, and His plans for us are good.
So, how do we possess the unknown future with the all-knowing God?
1. Trust: Trust that God's plans for us are perfect, even when we can't see the full picture.
2. Prayer: Seek God's guidance through prayer, asking for wisdom and clarity as we make decisions.
3. Faith: Walk by faith, not by sight, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
4. Community: Surround ourselves with fellow believers who can encourage, support, and pray for and with us.
Beloved in Christ, embracing the unknown future involves surrendering our plans and ambitions to God's perfect will. It means trusting that He holds the blueprint of our lives and that His plans for us are good, filled with hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
Conclusion
My dear Christian friend, as we look to the future with hope and anticipation, let us remember that our God is a God of infinite possibilities. He is not bound by time or space, and His plans for us are beyond anything we could imagine. So, let us surrender our fears and uncertainties to Him, knowing that He is faithful to guide us every step of the way.
As we journey through life, let us remember that our identity and security are found in Christ, the Alpha and the Omega. He is not only the beginning and the end but also the sustainer and guide of our lives. In Him, we find our purpose, our security and our strength, and our hope. May we seek Him diligently, abide in His love, and trust Him wholeheartedly, knowing that He possesses the unknown future and invites us to walk in faith alongside Him. Amen!
Shalom aleikhem...
