Introduction

We have a tendency to gaze into the future with a mix of hope and apprehension. It’s natural to think ahead, planning for what’s to come and trying to anticipate challenges. But sometimes, those thoughts come with questions and concerns: Will I have enough? Enough time, energy, money, or resources to face what lies ahead? What if the challenges outpace my ability to handle them?

These concerns are rooted in our human limitations. Try as we might, we cannot see the future. But when we attempt to venture into the days ahead before they arrive, we go there without God.

A Future Without God?

But why is that? God walks with us moment by moment through our days, meaning that He is only there with us when we are actually there in the moment.

It’s ironic because God is timeless. He lives outside of time. All days occur simultaneously for Him. And yet, since we’re not there in those future moments until the time arrives, God is not with us.

So why do we try to live in the future, knowing that God isn’t part of the equation? I think it’s a matter of trust. We try to plan and prepare for every possibility because we’re not convinced that God is going to come through for us.

But Jesus reminds us of the futility of living like this when He says:

Jesus calls us to live in the present and to trust that God will meet us there. Trying to live in a future that doesn’t exist burdens our hearts and draws us away from the blessings and opportunities of today. When we spend too much time gazing into the future, we risk missing out on God’s provision in the here and now.

God’s Timeless Presence

Scripture is filled with reminders of God’s faithful provision in the present. For example, in Lamentations 3:22-23, the prophet Jeremiah writes:

God gives us fresh mercies every day, not all at once for the entirety of our lives. He wants us to depend on Him moment by moment, trusting that He will provide for tomorrow just as He provides for today and has provided for us in days gone by.

The story of manna in the wilderness illustrates this beautifully. As the Israelites wandered through the desert, God provided manna for them to eat each day. But He gave them only enough for that day. If they tried to store it for the future, it would spoil. God was teaching them (and us) to trust Him daily, to believe that He would provide tomorrow just as He did today. The manna turning rotten when they tried to save it was God’s way of pointing out, “I’m not in your tomorrow. I am in your today. On this day, I will provide for you.”

Thankfully, tomorrow eventually becomes today.

Learning to Trust God in the Present

Trusting God in the present requires a shift in perspective. Instead of focusing on what might happen or what resources we think we’ll need in the future, we can focus on God’s promises:

1. God Will Be With Us
   God promises to be with us every step of the way. In Isaiah 41:10, He says:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

The God who walks with us today will walk with us tomorrow. We don’t need to worry about the future because we are never alone.

2. God Will Provide
   Jesus reassures us of God’s provision in Matthew 6:31-33:

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

When we prioritize God and His kingdom, He promises to provide for our needs.

3. God’s Plans Are Good
   Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of God’s loving plan for our lives:

“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.”

The future is not something to fear but something to trust God with.

As we venture further into this new year, let’s make a commitment to live in the present with God. Instead of anxiously living in a non-existent future, wondering if we’ll have enough, let’s focus on the God who is here with us now, guiding us into the real future. Let’s trust Him to provide for us one day at a time, knowing that His grace is sufficient for every moment.

The Call to Live in the Present

The next time you find yourself wandering off into days that don’t exist, remember these truths: even though God is timeless, He is with you only in the present moment, meeting your current needs. Take a deep breath, whisper Jesus’s name, and bring your thoughts back to now. Invite Him to join you in your current moment.

In doing so, we can replace worry with peace, anxiety with trust, and fear with the confidence that the same God who has been faithful in the past will continue to be faithful in the future.