Day 59 - Issue 24
Luke 23:28 NLT
But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”
There is a great challenge in disentangling good advice from future proofing against disaster. As I entered the unstable world of Christian youth work after finishing at Oxford, my father was angry. He observed me throwing away my opportunity for a secure future, or one he defined as such. He wasn’t a Christian and the anxiety must have been overwhelming. It had a negative impact on our relationship which lasted for years. I have subsequently experienced similar emotions as my daughter has pursued her path into the entertainment industry, which offers little by way of secure, well-paid jobs. Like my father, I ponder how much she may regret my lack of a steer into a more stable lifestyle.
Jesus makes his way towards crucifixion. Women who had faithfully followed him now wept at the sight of a brutalised Jesus. Yet, he reminds them in the starkest possible way that life offers no guarantees of either happiness or fulfilment. We are to learn to be wholly present in each moment and consult with God about what steps we are to take ahead of each tomorrow.
One clear lesson from accompanying Katey with MS was that each day was to be enjoyed for what it offered. Our plans for our future had turned to ashes. Progressive MS had no trustworthy prognosis, so we lived in the moment. What was the purpose of setting anything aside for a tomorrow we might not enjoy together? This lesson challenged so many of my own deeply embedded insecurities. The only future proofing is the kind Jesus describes. We are to prepare our hearts by exploring how we can deepen our trust and confidence in Jesus. In this way we shall navigate our future, whether tomorrow brings sunshine, showers or a mighty storm.
QUESTION: How much effort do you make in trying to make your life safe and secure?
PRAYER: Lord, teach me how to be wise in my present but trusting you for my future.
