When We Don’t Know What the Future Holds
You’ve probably heard our news that Dennis and I are transferring the leadership of FamilyLife, the ministry we started and have led for over 40 years, to new leaders, David and Meg Robbins. While we are truly excited about this change, we have learned again in new ways what it means to trust God with our lives. His Spirit has kindly reminded us that He had our backs when we started FamilyLife and didn’t know what we were doing, and He will surely do the same in this next season of unknowns.
The providence of God has been the subject of these new lessons of faith for us. Paul said plainly, “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will” (Ephesians 1:11). God is both sovereign, in control, and providential, leading with care.
Dennis and I understand this quality of His character because of our lifelong reading of the Bible. God’s Word has instructed us how He has worked throughout history supplying and caring for those who believe in His name. Knowing God’s character, knowing Him more intimately every year, grows our ability to trust Him increasingly.
The root word of providence is provide. It reminds me of that part of God’s person that consistently, unreservedly meets our needs because He loves us. He knows what we need before we even ask, even think.
I’ve come to love this old-world term providence. It beautifully sums up God’s paternal foresight and purposeful care.
Seven months ago we were feeling anxious about our future because we had no idea what was ahead, only that we knew it was time to find younger leaders. We wondered if we would still have a voice. We were afraid we might not have steady income. Would God provide? we wondered.
God, in His great kindness, gave me a little dream early one morning before dawn. In my dream, I came downstairs to find our dining room and kitchen floor covered with small white discs, the size of Altoid mints, but very thin. I was surprised for a second then I knew. It was manna. God was reminding me on that important day that He will in fact provide for us as He has faithfully provided for His children throughout the ages. It’s been a milestone ever since that we’ve clung to: a sweet reminder that He will care for us.
I’ve written before about a woman I have admired for many decades, Susanna Wesley, who with the encouragement of her father and her husband broke the cultural barriers of her day by learning to read, write, and study theology.
She wrote many prayers during her life in the 1600s as a pastor’s wife and mom to 18 kids, including John and Charles Wesley. One of them is about God’s providence.
“I thank Thee, O God, for the relief and satisfaction of mind that come with the firm assurance that Thou dost govern the world… even the tumultuous and irregular actions of sinful men are, nevertheless, under Thy direction…Thy Providence, who art wise, good, and omnipotent… and have promised to make all things work together for good to them that love Thee.” Thank You, My God and Savior. Amen.
Her prayer brings me great comfort by reminding me God is continually acting, working, directing, and engaging in infinite ways to orchestrate all the events of our world according to His divine purposes.
My seemingly insignificant life, including what our future holds, problems that feel overwhelming, and relationships that are difficult or broken are not too difficult for Him. He is able.
In the not yet finished world in which we live, a world rocked daily by terror, strife and threats, there is a peace available that passes understanding. It’s guaranteed, in fact, when we fix our minds on an unwavering, trustworthy God. “Nothing is impossible with God”—and He will make all things work together for good to those who love Him.
I’m counting on that sure promise. Are you?