As a senior in high school, I am at a seemingly bittersweet point in my life. Despite the excitement of the future and the fun rituals of senior year, reality also sets in as I determine what this future I have been dreaming about for so long is going to look like. Even at the beginning of the school year, I am making decisions that will affect my future, whether it be which colleges (if any) to apply to, what career I should pursue, and more immediately how I can have a successful senior year. BUT GOD has already been faithful in preparing me for these decisions so that there is no fear as I plan for the future and can experience his peace and his best for me right now.
Already, I have seen many of my classmates fret over their future. They believe that they stand outside a vast and dark abyss in which their future lays, and they have no idea how to walk assuredly. Thankfully, all believers in Christ have assurance for a safe and prosperous future. Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version) reads, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you; to give you a hope and a future.’” The question then is how do we access this promise?
First, it is above all necessary to get into a habit of spending time with the Lord daily and meditating upon His Word. Joshua 1:8 (New King James Version) states, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” With every promise that God gives, there is always a reward. God calls us to spend time seeking Him daily, so that we gain a deeper revelation of who He is, who we are, and how we can partner together to live out life successfully. For me, a great change in my thinking had to come in order to realize this truth. I had always known God had a calling on my life and that He would show it to me, and this summer He began to reveal that calling. What I did not know, however, was what to do after He had revealed it. For so long I had waited for His confirmation that I was unsure what to do after I received it! Thankfully, the Lord put people in my life to keep me focused on the path I am on today. During a discipleship meeting with my youth pastor this summer, we discussed how God began to speak to me concerning a future career as an attorney, and I was excited! Pastor Clark admonished me, telling me that in order to live out this future calling, I have to be sensitive and listen to how the Lord moves each day. “Life’s hard, yard by yard; but inch by inch, life’s a cinch!” He spoke this wisdom to me and it has stayed with me ever since. Daily, I have to lay down all the things the Lord has called me to and I have to submit them to His leading, regardless of my opinion. As I get into this God-given mindset, I have learned that if I seek His guidance and then do it, my way is made prosperous, far more than if I had tried to do things my way.
Spending time with the Lord is critical for all success (spiritual, emotional, relational, financial, intellectual, etc.) but then in order to achieve the benefits of the things He speaks in the dark (in your quiet time with the Lord, Matthew 10:27) we must go out into the world each day and do the things He leads us to. Ecclesiastes 11:6, “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” God calls us to sow the seed He has given us so that we may reap the benefits of His blessings. I have found this Scripture to be true in all areas of life. I need to sow good seed in my studies at school, in my relationships with friends and family, and in my attitude and thought life. As I go about diligently sowing my seed for the Lord, I receive the blessings I expect from His promises. In the time that I have entered into this sowing and reaping lifestyle, I not only am more successful with the things I do, but I also enjoying doing them. I have learned to take pleasure in reading assigned texts for school (even Russian literature!), for mowing the lawn and spending time with those that I have difficulty sometimes being around. Most outsiders who view my workload might think that I do not have time for fun with all that I do. They are sorely mistaken! God blesses every hour of my time and as I seek His ways, I enjoy every minute of it! That is not to say I have perfected this lifestyle, but as I release faith and believe all that is in my life is good and works for a greater good (Romans 8:28-29), I have nothing to fear and can enjoy the life God has given me today. It is by far the greatest philosophy of life and feeling anyone could experience!
As I have discovered this way of living fear-free and joy-FULL, it is my prayer that you too find this path of peace and prosperity He calls all of His children to. All you have to do is turn aside to seek Him (because He is speaking to you today; you just have to open up and listen!). Then, begin to spend time with Him daily and then diligently sow your seed in all that you do every day. Once you begin to realize these things, the fear of an uncertain future fades quickly away and God’s best is there to stay.
Garrett Pratt is a Senior at Central High School, Springfield, Missouri
Already, I have seen many of my classmates fret over their future. They believe that they stand outside a vast and dark abyss in which their future lays, and they have no idea how to walk assuredly. Thankfully, all believers in Christ have assurance for a safe and prosperous future. Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version) reads, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you; to give you a hope and a future.’” The question then is how do we access this promise?
First, it is above all necessary to get into a habit of spending time with the Lord daily and meditating upon His Word. Joshua 1:8 (New King James Version) states, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” With every promise that God gives, there is always a reward. God calls us to spend time seeking Him daily, so that we gain a deeper revelation of who He is, who we are, and how we can partner together to live out life successfully. For me, a great change in my thinking had to come in order to realize this truth. I had always known God had a calling on my life and that He would show it to me, and this summer He began to reveal that calling. What I did not know, however, was what to do after He had revealed it. For so long I had waited for His confirmation that I was unsure what to do after I received it! Thankfully, the Lord put people in my life to keep me focused on the path I am on today. During a discipleship meeting with my youth pastor this summer, we discussed how God began to speak to me concerning a future career as an attorney, and I was excited! Pastor Clark admonished me, telling me that in order to live out this future calling, I have to be sensitive and listen to how the Lord moves each day. “Life’s hard, yard by yard; but inch by inch, life’s a cinch!” He spoke this wisdom to me and it has stayed with me ever since. Daily, I have to lay down all the things the Lord has called me to and I have to submit them to His leading, regardless of my opinion. As I get into this God-given mindset, I have learned that if I seek His guidance and then do it, my way is made prosperous, far more than if I had tried to do things my way.
Spending time with the Lord is critical for all success (spiritual, emotional, relational, financial, intellectual, etc.) but then in order to achieve the benefits of the things He speaks in the dark (in your quiet time with the Lord, Matthew 10:27) we must go out into the world each day and do the things He leads us to. Ecclesiastes 11:6, “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” God calls us to sow the seed He has given us so that we may reap the benefits of His blessings. I have found this Scripture to be true in all areas of life. I need to sow good seed in my studies at school, in my relationships with friends and family, and in my attitude and thought life. As I go about diligently sowing my seed for the Lord, I receive the blessings I expect from His promises. In the time that I have entered into this sowing and reaping lifestyle, I not only am more successful with the things I do, but I also enjoying doing them. I have learned to take pleasure in reading assigned texts for school (even Russian literature!), for mowing the lawn and spending time with those that I have difficulty sometimes being around. Most outsiders who view my workload might think that I do not have time for fun with all that I do. They are sorely mistaken! God blesses every hour of my time and as I seek His ways, I enjoy every minute of it! That is not to say I have perfected this lifestyle, but as I release faith and believe all that is in my life is good and works for a greater good (Romans 8:28-29), I have nothing to fear and can enjoy the life God has given me today. It is by far the greatest philosophy of life and feeling anyone could experience!
As I have discovered this way of living fear-free and joy-FULL, it is my prayer that you too find this path of peace and prosperity He calls all of His children to. All you have to do is turn aside to seek Him (because He is speaking to you today; you just have to open up and listen!). Then, begin to spend time with Him daily and then diligently sow your seed in all that you do every day. Once you begin to realize these things, the fear of an uncertain future fades quickly away and God’s best is there to stay.
Garrett Pratt is a Senior at Central High School, Springfield, Missouri
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