Tomorrow. It’s a scary thing. It’s an exciting thing. It’s
affected by our choices today, yet holds the power to bring something new. It
can bring destruction. It can bring hope. Tomorrow is undefined. Perhaps, then, that is why many of us spend our days
thinking about tomorrow. Whether you find yourself in the category of longing
for tomorrow, wishing life was better, or worrying about tomorrow, hoping it
won’t bring pain, there is risk in dwelling on tomorrow. As we become consumed with
the variables of what is to come, we fail to cherish the moments we have in
front of us. Furthermore, we may drift into self-reliance and a lack of faith
in God.
Dwelling on tomorrow is certainly something that challenges
me. As a single college student who is one year away from graduating, I spend a
lot of time thinking about my next steps in life. Will I find the right job?
Will I be able to afford grad school right away? When will I move out of my
parent’s house? Will I find the right person to marry? While these are normal
questions that one may have during this stage of life, they may become
dangerous if I allow them to consume me. I must be careful not to forget about
the life I’ve been given right now. I
must not lose sight of the fact that God
has placed me where I am for a distinct purpose. The school I am attending,
the job I have, and the relationships I have with others are not to be simply
viewed as an intermission. These moments are just as important as the future. As
tomorrow may hold new opportunities and challenges, today holds unique
opportunities and trials of its own. Likewise, it is vital that I give today
the same attention I give tomorrow.
Beyond running the risk of neglecting today, dwelling on
tomorrow may cause me to drift towards a lack of dependence on God. As someone
who always likes to have a plan, I don’t like the idea of not knowing what my
future holds. It’s uncomfortable. It’s scary. It’s out of my control, and to be
honest, I am not a fan of that! However, when I spend time worrying about
tomorrow, I am actually cultivating a lack of trust in God.
In the Bible,
Matthew talks about how God cares for Creation. God never ceases to provide for
the birds, the plants, and other creatures. How much more, then, must he care
for His people? (Matthew 6:25-34). Something I must continuously remind myself of is that when I surrender my life to God and follow Him, He will take care of my
needs. Therefore, I don’t need to worry. I don’t need to rely on my own strength
to control a situation because God has promised to direct me through every situation (Jeremiah 30:22). Furthermore, He has promised the same for you!
If you find yourself feeling the weight of tomorrow, I
challenge you to take a step back and reflect on today. While tomorrow may
present new opportunities and challenges, there is purpose in today. Allow
yourself to grow, learn, and trust God through whatever it is you are facing right now. As you grow in contentment of
today, God will prepare you for tomorrow.
Until next time,
Tamara
