We can’t know the future, even though fortune-tellers would like us to believe we can. Sadly, many people do believe that and go to them, even though it’s crystal-ball clear they don’t know our future any more than we do.

It’s not that we can’t plan. We just need to know those plans could change.

“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will…’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” James 4:13-15

But instead of being afraid to plan or step out and do something, just realize our future is ultimately up to the Lord. As the saying goes, “we don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.”

Thankfully, the one who holds our future knows all, can do all, has total authority, limitless power, and always has our best interests at heart. Without fail. The One about Whom Scripture assures us:

“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lam. 3:22-23

“’For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jer. 29:11

Not just sometimes, when He’s in a good mood or we’re on His good side, but consistently.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Jas. 1:17

What if the one holding the future were a dictator? All power, but no real love—only showing fake love when he/she had use for us or was in a good mood? How dangerous would that be? We couldn’t or wouldn’t want to plan anything, knowing we, along with our plans, could be squashed by a capricious king/queen.

What if the one holding the future were kind but had no power or authority? That would be like leaving our plans and future in the hands of someone who could get overruled, thus nullifying them. “Sorry, I tried to make this work, but couldn’t. Something came up out of my control…” Or “Sorry, I’m not really in charge. You can leave it with me, but no guarantee what the ‘higher-ups’ will do or say.

What if the one holding the future were limited in their knowledge, wisdom, and foresight? “Oops, didn’t see that coming! Sorry, there goes your future and plans. Better luck next time!”

What if no one held the future and everything were random? Then why plan? We’d have nothing to base our plans on, due to the lack of certainty of anything. Anything could happen or not happen. The North Star could go south. It could snow in Miami, Fl. in July. (Yes, our climate has gotten wacky sometimes, but not that crazy).

Note, just because we can’t count on being around next year doesn’t mean we live in a random, out-of-control, universe. It just means we’re not the ones controlling it. We plan with the grateful knowledge that our plans are supervised by the One in control.

This shouldn’t scare or discourage us. Just the opposite. If, with my limited perspective, understanding, and power, my plans don’t line up with His, I’m glad He corrects and redirects them to produce the better and best outcome!

That’s why the truth stated in Prov. 16:9 is actually reassuring:

“In their hearts people plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” In other words, He does the necessary course-correction for us.

This reminds me of when I was swimming in a lap lane the other day. I decided to try swimming straight along the line in the middle with my eyes closed. It didn’t work. Why? Because I was “blind”, couldn’t see ahead, and went off course. It felt straight, but I was headed straight toward the divider, on an angle.

Going through life can be like swimming without seeing. We feel like we’re headed in the right direction, but need to submit to the Lord to “open our eyes” and keep us from getting hurt.

Or two months before I graduated college. Since I planned on going to grad school, I was planning on getting a temporary summer job, and felt thrilled when the “right” one came along.

A month later I discovered, to my dismay, that the company had a bad reputation. I could have still done it, but trusted the Lord and withdrew from that, trusting a better job would come along.

It did. I “happened” to see an advertisement (in the days before internet), recruiting live-in ESL tutors in the small country where I’d spent a year as an exchange student in high school. I had loved it and the people so much and wondered how I could get back there. Here was the Lord, directing my steps right to that wonderful environment, culture, and people, and adding provision to direction!

The way He always does. “Where His finger points, His hand makes a way.” After all, if we’ve sought Him for guidance about what to do next, we can do so in confidence and calm purposefulness, knowing that He sees the whole picture and has everything worked out.

That’s why, following the admonition to not boast in our own plans, the Lord exhorts us: “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” (James 4:17)

So pray, plan, pray more, purpose, and proceed to do whatever He reveals for us to do! Step out in obedience and “do the next thing”, as this classic poem reminds us:

From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the doors the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing.

Looking for Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.

What is that “next thing” for you?