God keeps your future just far enough away so as to keep you near to Him.
Far and near.
God keeps one (the future) just out of sight in order to bring the other (nearness to Him) into focus.
God’s will for your life is to find Him, so you can then choose whether or not to follow.
Living the plan God has for you sometimes travels through the blackest of nights. Like when driving a car at night, if the headlights failed to scatter the darkness, you’d have no idea where you were going.
In all honesty, you probably don’t know where the road you currently travel upon leads. At best, the light God does cause to shine into your future allows you to see only twenty-or-so feet ahead.
You see, but you really don’t see. You see what’s just up ahead, but you can’t see anything beyond. Ironically, you feel like you know where you’re going, but have no idea where you’ll end up. This push and pull feeling keeps you moving in the direction God wants—more specifically, in the direction of God’s will.
Even after all these years, the plans God has for you remain somewhat veiled in mystery.
Mystery and the unknown shoo away the boredom. Not-knowing what might happen—more importantly the hope of a better, brighter, and altogether different future—motivates you to take the next step. And then the next.
Your inability to see the future clearly magnifies your need for God.
Besides, if you actually saw your entire life’s plan, you’d probably shift your life—including your spiritual life—into auto-pilot.
Today, I took the same path to work that I’ve taken for the last seven years. The distance from home to office is a mere fifteen minute drive. But today I arrived having no real recollection of how I got here. Passing by the same buildings, seeing the same trees, stopping at the same stoplights, cresting the same hills—the routine of it all—allowed my mind to drift off into other thoughts, while the rest-of-me just went through the motions.
Contrast this with what I alluded to earlier—driving in the darkest of night, a soupy, thick fog sitting on top of a road you’ve never traveled. Without the familiar surroundings, without knowing exactly what lies ahead, your life dares not shift into auto-pilot. You can’t afford to. You must remain engaged and focused in the current twenty-feet-or-so if you want to make it to the next twenty.
As it relates to your future, are you beginning to see why God never allows you to see too far in advance? Knowing your future in its entirety would compete with God for your attention. And God knows a life focused on something other than Christ leads to a dead end.
As it stands now, the future exists as distant and a bit aloof. God wants it that way. But realize the mystery of not knowing everything makes for a very intriguing life.
More than likely, without the intrigue you’d become too comfortable in your surroundings. If God allowed you to see the rest of your life, you’d memorize every twist and turn in the road up-ahead.
If you knew everything, you’d have no need to know God.
In reality, if God laid out for you your entire future, you’d stumble over the present. You’d lose the moment in search of something you could never quite catch-up to. After all, the future lives just beyond your grasp.
But the ability to simultaneously stand in both the present and the future—the ability to connect the present with what awaits you in the future—is distinctly God.
Regardless of how much time you have left on this earth, God has a plan for you. God wants to reveal to you His will for your life. But part of that plan entails you getting to know Him. To know Him—to know the love and the grace and the compassion He offers you, to know with what high regard He holds you—is more important than knowing your future.
One day your future will come to an end. That’s why living life “twenty-feet-at-a-time” is the only way to go. No sense in allowing a glimpse toward the end to rob you of the moment.
But a relationship with God has no end. By asking Jesus into your heart, you embarked on a journey for all of eternity. Since eternity doesn’t have a future, you get to live carefree in the moment, with no worries about what is to come.
Experiencing what I just described sounds a bit like heaven, doesn’t it? Well, it should—it is heaven! And having invited Jesus into your life, one day heaven will be your new home.
But the “right-now-reality” that you and I currently occupy requires us to live twenty-feet at a time.
Yet without having to categorize and index your entire future, think of how much time you can devote to getting to know God and the life of Jesus living within you!
There is an aspect of relating to God that you can only experience while living on this earth. It’s called faith. Faith is the one thing you cannot give God in heaven. After all, it will take no faith to believe God once you’re with Him forever.
Spiritually speaking, faith, then, is a very decidedly earthly thing. Perhaps that’s why the bible tells us in Hebrews that without faith you cannot please God, that you must believe that He is and is a rewarder to all those who seek Him.
Faith never goes about shining a light to find the plan. No, faith goes searching for the One making the plan. The planner is always held in higher regard than the actual plan itself.
A future containing some sort of uncertainty keeps you moving toward God. But God’s promise to you is to never allow the light shining on your future to completely go out.
For you, life may never live more than twenty-feet-at-a-time. But that’s okay when the light lighting up the way is Jesus.
Your future resides with the One who made it. Therefore, your desire to know the future is really nothing more than a desire to know God. If right now you have a “need-to-know” issue pressing upon your life, that’s just God’s way of letting you see how deeply you need to know Him.
I’ve put together a three and half minute video which provides you with some visuals so you can grab onto what it means to find God’s will by finding Him.
Watch it now.
How has God revealed more of His will for your life as you’ve moved toward Him relationally?
Would you take a few moments and let me know by leaving a comment below?
ufa said on October 9, 2011
This message is for Nick….If you see this, I am praying for you with all my heart. I am so sorry you are going through this….I don’t understand God sometimes. I don’t understand what can only be seen as distance and coldness. Please know that things will get better, I promise I will pray and will continue to pray for you…that your life does a complete turn around and you will be able to rest and live in prosperity and security. God places his hand upon your head now (I think he is telling me to tell you this) and turns you into the direction of his voice, you will feel the sun upon your face, and your muscles and bones will melt into the warmth of his love. All blessings.
Diane said on July 21, 2011
I enjoyed reading this, it helped to really think about what you said and what I desire in my walk with the Lord. It is refreshing to read another perspective from someone to start our wheels turning and the most important thing in my life is to Love The Lord with all my heart and to do what HE wants me to do. So thank you for the focus for today, it will be utmost in my mind.
God Bless
Amanda Tow said on July 18, 2011
I saw this link just for a minute on facebook the other day and I knew I had to find and I did tonight. GOD…Abba. Has been everything to me. I have come back to the LORD the last year and the last few months have been surreal. Someone whom I loved dearly cannot be in my life anymore and I begged GOD during this time to just hold me and guide me and has he ever. Everyday I see more and more of him. I have started school studing ministry and I am going on my first ever missions trip in October. What will happen in 1 year I have no idea but I know right now utterly and completely stepping out in faith has changed everything for me and it’s been truly amazing. Our most honorable GOD will guide you directly into his will. You just have to turn it over to him. My prayers daily have been that I don’t want to breathe without him and he is people and these amazing people in my life who only help deepen my faith.Praise and glory goes to our FATHER for all that he does and continues to do. I pray all of this for every single one of you. For faith and peace. GOD bless you.
David Stephens said on July 18, 2011
Amanda – what a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing this! I feel honored that Beliefchangers in some small way is contributed to this new path you’re Christian life is taking you. Please let us know how things progress, and if I can help in anyway, let me know!
Charlotte Shavers said on July 16, 2011
Thank you so much for the clarity. At times I find myself asking God what is his will for my life. Now that I know better, I can do better honestly. Once again, thank you for the inspiring message and may God always continue to guide and bless your life and all that you do : ) So I am truly on the right path, just have to work harder at doing what’s best at all times…
Benita said on July 13, 2011
I always know never question god, I often ask god show me my gift, and i know i love helping people, i have a heart of gold, and im alive, he wake me up every mornig, i have a job, i am bless, my kids give me problems but what kid dont, so i stop crying and stop being hurt, because of people hurting me . and now i give it to god, everyday i believe more and more, everyday i see god love more and more, and im bless. i love him with all my heart, im a working progress, i do have my days, and when i do , i breath and say oh god hold my hand,
and he do. i just wanted to share this. i do have my struggle, but i love god to much to just breakdown anymore love u lord.
valentine said on July 13, 2011
hi david
thank you so much for i have so much on my plate right now it scares me , but lisening to your video gave me a calm spirit for all i need to do right now is to sit at Jesus feet
judy brown said on July 13, 2011
thank you for sharing this video. I appreciate you teachings. I like the idea of finding a quite space and just focus on GOD.
David Stephens said on July 13, 2011
Judy – thank you for your comments!
Theresa said on July 13, 2011
David, I want to thank you for taking the time to place this lesson right where and when I needed it. The US is in turmoil and had me worrying about how I’d pay the bills if Social Security is cut out in August. I realize that everything is in God’s hands but I’m a worry-wort. After I read and listened to this video I realize that God is using this so I will depend more on Him than I do our government. Thanks again for sharing. My relationship with Him has been growing ever since I took the Abiding Life course and since I’m hardheaded it’s a slow process. I am learning to trust Him more and this has been a big issue for me. Now I can truly say, “lead on my Father, Thy will be done. Thanks again!
David Stephens said on July 13, 2011
Theresa…what a wonderful revelation God gave you! To have something you were concerned about disappear as a result of placing your trust in God sounds easy enough, but experiencing this happening takes a load off! Thanks for sharing, and keep abiding in Christ!
Suzie K said on July 13, 2011
I am drawn to your teaching on abiding. I believe with all my heart that this is the correct path. I don’t know why I can’t just settle down and live it out day by day. I have so much anxiety, but it’s not thoughts as much as it is feelings. I mean my thoughts race and I have “butterflies” in my stomach 24/7. The physical feeling makes me think that danger is always near and I’m so tired of it. NONETHELESS….. No matter what I feel, I will continue to ask Jesus to be what I cannot and I will remain alert to His direction in my life. I’ll walk through the doors that open and I won’t try and beat down the doors that close. I guess He has His reasons for this anxiety disorder I have. I have to admit I struggle with the fear that I’m totally outside of His will…why else would I feel like this all the time?
David Stephens said on July 13, 2011
Suzie – Being drawn to the message of abiding proves that God is doing a deeper work in your life. Part of that deeper work is letting go of what you’ve relied on in the past in order to be ready to receive what He wants to give you. Of course, what He wants to offer you is a greater revelation of Christ.
A month or so ago, I put a 15 minute teaching video together on anxiety and worry. I’m not sure if you viewed this, but I’ve included the link at the bottom. It’s not meant to “solve” anxiety and worrry, but explains how it happens in your life and points you to the person (Jesus) who can solve it. Why don’t you watch it and then tell me what you think. Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6_pTN8jGUY
marilyn said on July 13, 2011
I have to say, I love and enjoy reading everything Mr. Stephens puts up.. I am upset my computer caught a virus and I can’t watch the video but, I still get to read the emails and post on facebook.. Thank You Mr. Stephens, you are truly a blessed man, may God continue to bless you so we can continue to read and understand more of how God lives in our lives.
David Stephens said on July 13, 2011
Marilyn…I’m sorry to hear about your computer virus! I hope your computer gets to feeling better! Thank you for your kind words, and please, call me David!
Connie Laws said on July 13, 2011
I will never be able to express how much I needed this. I thank you for allowing the Lord to use you to speak to others. I am sure I will read this over and over along with scriptures that I find along my road of building my relationship with My Lord. Again thank you and I look forward to more of your little nuggets.
Nick Smithey said on July 12, 2011
I’m glad that you all know where you’re going. I’m 31 and I don’t get to see my kids, I’m in debt, I’m homeless and living off the help of friends and I have no job or transportation. I’m in such a hole and I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. I pray and pray and nothing happens. I have done so much but have little to show, (military, college, etc…) I’m so tired of praying and hoping for a better future when everyone else seems to prosper but me…….
Christiana Akotia said on July 12, 2011
I am happy to hear this message , and it make me strong. Because God reviewed something to me yesterday, before this message came .To me he reviewed my beginning and my end to me always.But I need someone to encourage me to continuous the journey . But I could not get anybody because when I want to speak to somebody the holy spirit said I don’t want you to enter in darkness, then I don’t give my mind to the person again.But about 3 weeks ago I started these course and the lord did not tell me any bad thing about David. So I want everyone to listen to him. God richly bless you, and give you long life to teach more.
Sheralee Tonnessen said on July 12, 2011
This lesson reminded me of a lecture quote from Oswald Chambers, “If you have escaped the blade of the sword, just go.” From what I’ve learned from God thus far, I have been created for the sole purpose of being in relationship with Him..and that relationship is lived out through myself and other believers. My life is not my own…thank God. The absolute wonder of participating in the journey is both exhilirating and agonizing at different seasons. Come to find out, it’s the process of learning to seek, recognize and accept God’s will which is actually what this part of eternal life is all about. I’m assured by Jesus that this is a classroom and He is with me to help and guide me through…..and our promise is we will be with Him forever..that’s His will and plan.
Laurie Hintz said on July 12, 2011
Thank you for your wonderful messages. I didn’t see this one until this morning, just as it was supposed to be – I needed this today! I didn’t even make it out the door for a walk before I heard my task for today. “Bits and pieces” came to mind watching the video. As Christians, we look at God in compartments or bits and pieces. Yet, we are made in His image & we are not bits & pieces. I cannot learn just about my husband’s sense of humor w/out knowing all the rest of him. We cannot get to know God just by studying one aspect of Him or another – He is a FULL PACKAGE and whole being. My time of stillness ended with the task to continue being still throughout the day & only then will I know God as the “I AM” He is. Many blessings to you David for your insights.
David Stephens said on July 12, 2011
Laurie – What a wonderful expression of Christ working in your life, and how encouraging to hear! Thank you so much for sharing. I recently discovered that “I AM” basically means He’s the source of all. God is the source of the source of the source, so to be still in Him allows gives us access into all that we will ever need. Thanks again for sharing!
Steven Horsell said on July 12, 2011
GOD has told me now is the time to LET HIM Lead my steps insted of me He had to slow me down to a conplet stop so that I would relie only on him and not my self and allow other of GODS children to help instad of me trying to take the Load on my shoulders and allow him to work in other childern of GOD and to build up a team under neth me so that we may preach his word to his childern ! I had to get out of his way Forgive me Lord for being in the way of what you whant me to do for you !!!!!!!
David Stephens said on July 12, 2011
Steven – as He guides, keep us up-to-date on where He’s leading!
Paul Piescik said on July 12, 2011
Shortly after attending as much as I could of a Kevin Hagin Crusade, where I received the Baptism of the Spirit and a prayer tongue, the Holy Spirit awakened me three nights in a row and kept me up talking to me for about half the night. (Naturally, I wasn’t tired the next day for lack of sleep).
My Pastor had been talking about our city needing a revival, and at first I thought the Holy Spirit wanted me to lead that revival (without the foggiest notion how to go about it).
Later it struck me that He wanted me in a pulpit, preaching. So now, at 61, I’m in college studying for a B.S. so I can continue on for an M.Div. and becoming a minister.
David Stephens said on July 12, 2011
Paul – encouraging to see someone in the latter part of life still tender to God’s leading! Go for it!
Randy Dial said on July 12, 2011
Recently I went to a men’s meeting called,”men at the cros”. All of us were given two coins just alike. The idea is to find another man and give him one of the coins as a friend and mentor. To become a mentor to another man in Christ as I believe it will be like the kindness revalution. It will spread like fire in a dry forrest. First I have to get that burning log out of my own ey before I can do this. The following of the path each day as an exercise physically will in itself lift my spirits,clear my head and make me feel better. Praying while I do it will strengthen me spiritually. This will also put me out there to meet others so that I might find others too that might want to follow the same path.
David Stephens said on July 12, 2011
Randy – thanks for sharing your thoughts! Let us know how God uses your life to spread His message!
Randy Dial said on July 12, 2011
At middle age and feeling very alone because of bad choices in the past this exercise;walking and praying,putting yourself on a path to know God’s will each day is a good exercise for the spirit as a man and as a Christian. That act of putting yourself on a path like this is an excellent idea. Thankyou. it is my hope and prayer that you be blessed as well. God’s will shall be done always. Even in our deaths be we for Him or against Him the Glory will Go to God.
As you said,it is our choice as to how we live. I want to live more for Him each and every day.
Sheleen said on July 11, 2011
Sir,
Thank you for sharing this message. It is SO timely for me. I’ve been going through an extremely difficult time of grieving. My loss is my marriage. Today is 2 months since my divorce became final. I had a personal revival with God mid Feb this year and my life has been radically changed. My marriage still ended. I’ve been so broken and I have been hurting so badly. I have so diligently been wanting to know the will of God for my life. What I realize from your posting on FB, blog and video clip is that what I need to be doing is diligently seeking God RELATIONALLY. I’ve been doing that but not as I should. I see that now. Thank you for your messages. May God bless you. Sincerely, ~ Sheleen
David Stephens said on July 12, 2011
@ Sheleen – I’m so glad the message was timely for you. I know what you’re currently experiencing can be tough to pull out of. I’ve put together a FREE Basics of the Abiding Life online course that speaks a lot to what you’re going through. You can watch a three minute video at this link to see if it is something you’d be interested in.
Kim Kitchingham said on July 11, 2011
God has revealed more of His will for my life as I strive to move toward Him relationally by showing me the true important things and directing me to reprioritize my life. He is gently (sometimes strongly) reminding and prodding me toward Him by allowing me to see glimpses of what it will ultimately mean to the overall peace and picture of my life WHEN I get things in alignment with Him. On the other end, He also reminds me of how out of sorts my life has felt when I focus on things, issues, and situations instead of focusing on Him and His blessings He has already placed in my life. God is Good… Every Moment of Every Day!!!
David Stephens said on July 12, 2011
Kim – your first sentence sums up the blog post. Thanks for sharing and validating for others the message by allowing us to see a glimpse into your life!