We all face an uncertain future. Days unspool before us and we can only aspire to some modicum of control. In fact, our future is the most elusive thing we possess because we have no guarantee of its existence.

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit, whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:13-14, NKJV).

We can hope for tomorrow, but we have no assurance that it will come. So, does that mean that we cannot make plans for the future?

In Genesis 12:1-3, Abraham receives the land promise about the future of his family and its impact on the world. In chapter fifteen, Abraham learns that he will produce an heir despite his age. Yet, decades pass before this prophecy comes to fruition.

Prophecy, by its very nature, depends on tomorrow. Sometimes there were thousands of years between prophecy and fulfillment.

Jesus sent his disciples out on the great commission (Matthew 28:18-10), knowing that it would last until the end of time.

Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 6:25-34 that they are not guaranteed anything past today, and then sends some of them out on the limited commission in chapter ten. Though it may appear as a contradiction, there is an explanation.

We know that life is transitory and can end at any moment. No one is free from death (Hebrews 9:27) and we must live with this knowledge every day and make the most of each of them.

The point is that only today is within our grasp and we cannot allow procrastination to prevent us from doing God’s will. Our faith in time cannot supplant that which should exist in Christ. He is our Savior, our provider and our Messiah. Time withers before his face.

Knowing that today is the only thing of which we can rely, we fill this day with service to God and aspire to more days. We cannot put off salvation or spiritual growth because we think we might have more time. We work until our last minute on this earth, knowing that the next breath could be our last.

We can confidently plan our next year with spiritual projects and goals because of this knowledge. We can start today and mine the wealth of spiritual vision we have in Christ our Savior (Proverbs 3:5-6).

What are we waiting on?

Richard Mansel @ www.forthright.net