Looking Beyond the Election: Preparing for the Future

 

Here is part five and the final piece of this month's series on focusing on the power of God's word for the times to come. I love the layout of this. Michele uses tons of scripture and gives us points to concern for the future. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

 

Politics in the last year have been crazy and not just with the American election.  Russia’s involvement in Syria, China taking claim of an island in international waters and the massive ISIS problem are just a few of the scary things that have happened in world politics this year.  So with all of that going on in the world, how does a Christian prepare for the future.

Christians, Politics and the Future

One of the big reasons people argue about politics is fear of the future.  Who has their finger on the big red button that could start World War 3?  Will North Korea bomb South Korea and then the US?

 

As political arguments swirl you need to ask yourself, “as a Christian, how involved should I be in these arguments?” The truth is, we shouldn’t concern ourselves with who is leading the country but remember that God is in control.

 

Romans 13:1 is pretty clear on the issue;  “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God”.

 

And in Titus 3:9 “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.”

 

So as we think about our future, we need to stop worrying about who has their finger on the button, and let God handle it.  He has been putting Kings in power for a long time.  We need to trust him to put the right authority figures in the right spots for our future.

Planning Ahead

While it is true that God has got control of who is in control, he still does encourage man to plan for the future.  We do not just go around willy nilly figuring God will take care of everything. He encourages wise men to plan.

 

I have always heard the saying “if you want to make God laugh, make a plan”  but what that saying should have said was “if you want to make God laugh, make a plan, and don’t pray over it”  

These plans have got to be smart, balanced and prayed over.

 

Proverbs 16:1 “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord."

 

Proverbs 21:5 reads “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,  but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty”.

 

And Proverbs 24:27 “Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house”.

 

If we look a little deeper into these Scriptures, we see the Bible instructing us to prepare ourselves for the days ahead.  We should work diligently, pray daily, and make a plan that balances our lives today with planning for the future.

 

So what does that mean for us? Should we be stockpiling food and weapons?  Should we be building bomb shelters and buying gold?  I believe the answer to that is, no we shouldn’t.  In as much as we need to prepare and have a plan, we also need to be wary of hoarding our goods and not trusting in God.  

 

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 shows us the dangers of doing all of this stockpiling.  ” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."

Find Wisdom

Proverbs 24:3-7 "3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man is full of strength,and a man of knowledge enhances his might,6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war,and in abundance of counselors there is victory.7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth."

 

Wisdom, is how we should be planning for the future. We should learn about scripture and find worldly wisdom that will help us should the whole world go to pot.  Your wisdom and knowledge will save you, not a stockpile of canned foods and ammo.  

 

If you are concerned about food, learn how to plant a seed and watch it grow.  Learn how to take seeds from the food you grew, dry them and plant a crop for next year.  If you are concerned about water, learn how to collect rainwater and boil it.  If you are concerned about meat, learn to hunt, butcher and process meat.  Knowing how to do all of these things will mean you can survive and function, without being tied to one big store of food.  

 

Trust in God

 

If I were to list every verse in the Bible that asked us to trust in God, this article would suddenly become very, very long.  We are instructed repeatedly to trust in God, we are told we are worth more than many sparrows (Matt 10:31), we are told to give God our burdens (Matt 11:28-30) yet we still have a hard time saying “Here God, please handle this”.  

 

We still worry about where our next meal will come from even though we have watched the Lord feed thousands of people. First when Moses led the Jews out of Egypt (Exodus 16:15) and again when Jesus fed the four thousand with 7 loaves of bread and a few fish (Matt 15:32-38).  

 

Apart from what the Bible tells us is our own personal experiences.  There have been many times in my life where it seemed as if from nowhere, I got exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it. I don’t believe in magic, but I do believe in God.  If you are concerned about something, pray about it. Give it to God and trust God will provide everything you need, exactly when you need it.  

Make Your Plan

Do not let politics over take your life.  There is a lot of very scary things going on in the world today, and it wise to be concerned about them.  Instead of hoarding goods, or getting in Facebook wars with your friends, ask God to give you wisdom.  James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him”  

 

The wisdom God gives you will be more powerful than any weapon, and more complete than any stockpile.  Focus on God, and you will win the most important battles every time.  

 

*All Bible verses are taken from the English Standard Version of the Bible

 

Michele Cook is the author behind Michele’s Finding Happiness, a website dedicated to helping people find their path to happiness.  She is a mom, a wife, a railroad signalman and a freelance writer.  Check out her site to find ways you can add a little more happiness to your life.