Joy A. Mead

“Your Future Is In Safe Hands.” I’m sure that is some insurance company’s slogan or at least it sounds like one! However, I’m not writing about insurance today but rather God’s assurance that He cares for us and our futures.

I recently had a catch up with a dear friend and although we’re in different seasons of life, God has beautifully blessed us with the opportunity to encourage each other in our unique circumstances.

At one point, my friend said, “Sometimes, it feels like God has forgotten about me. I see others moving along in their future plans, yet mine seem stuck at the moment. Are we unloved or forsaken? Sometimes, it just feels like we’re not really going anywhere.”

I think, at various times in our lives, we can all echo that sentiment of wondering if God is still with us and if He cares about our dreams for the future.

Looking at biblical examples, it is amazing how many people had some very long waits on God’s timing. For example, Joseph went through some horrific years of feeling abandoned and alone by being sold into slavery and imprisoned, yet God had not left him. (Gen 39:20-23) Only after pushing through the challenges and choosing to trust God in the most challenging years of his life did Joseph finally see how his life’s jigsaw puzzle had fallen into place for God’s glory and the good of Israel.

Another person who knew waiting on God was Hannah, mother to Samuel. (1 Sam 1:1-28) Years of tears and pouring her heart out went by before God blessed her with a child, and I’m sure she wondered in the heartache and waiting if she had been forgotten by God. Indeed, God had a beautiful story to unfold after all, and he blessed Hannah with a precious son, that she would then humbly offer back to serve God throughout his lifetime.

 When we feel forgotten in our own lives, let us remember Joseph, Hannah, and many others such as Moses, Simeon, Anna, Elizabeth, etc. who all had journeys of waiting on God. Let us push through the feelings of disappointment, sadness, and abandonment. God is still with us when we can’t see where He is taking us and He is guiding us even if we cannot fathom how we will get there. 

May we be encouraged with Paul’s words from Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

You are loved. 

You are here for a reason. 

Keep trusting that God is preparing your future and that your life is safely in His hands.