You’re all set! A perspective shift.

Seated in a comfy chair while chatting with a young woman, I sipped my honey and cinnamon latte. Yummy! It was comforting!  I loved the cadence of my sweet friend’s voice as we caught up on life. She talked about the future unknown events in her life. It seemed this wasn’t so comforting for her. I remember thinking, I don’t want her to be anxious or nervous because God has her.  He is preparing in advance the things for her to do.  I’m not sure whether I helped her or not, but I did listen. We prayed about what was still looming on the horizon for her and there seemed to be a perspective shift.

When I think too far ahead about the future, anxiety can creep in. Yes, I realize we have to look to the future, but does it have to be looming? Can there be a sense of eagerness and excitement instead? God is out ahead, so it’s going to be good, because God is good. God has been so faithful to me and he never changes so he will continue to be faithful in the future as well. There is no reason to fret or get worried. I haven’t mastered this, but I’ve come to realize I’m being set up by God! How cool is that? God, creator of the universe and lover of my soul, is going before me and preparing the things I am to do in advance.

This concept of preparing and being all set made me think of my early parenting years. I remember how when my children were young, I mean really young, I would ask my husband to bathe them. I recall when one was a new-born, I’d say, “Honey, will you give the baby a bath?” He was willing to help and replied, “Sure!”

The crazy thing I remember now is how I would do ALL the prep work. I’d run the bath water to the perfect temperature. Then I’d drag a space heater in the bathroom to ensure it would remain nice and warm. I would collect all the various items needed:  washcloth, soap, baby shampoo and set the little sponge foam thing inside the tub to lay the baby down. I’d place the bath mat next to the tub so Michael could kneel easily. The little sweet hooded, terry cloth towel was set on the toilet so he could easily grab it. I’d also gather a new diaper and fresh pair of PJs and have them accessible.

As I left the bathroom, I  would crack up thinking,  basically I’ve done everything needed for this task except for bathe the baby! I’ve done all this work now I might as well bathe the baby myself.  But I’d holler to my husband, “Okay, You’re all set!” Of course Michael would have to give the baby a bath. It would require his participation. But I was basically setting him up. He was all set because I had prepared in advance what he was to do.

Like my bath time preparation memory, God is so good and is always setting us up too and scripture confirms it. I remind myself today that He goes before me and is preparing my way. I’m reminded that He is good. He is for me not against me. God never changes and is always faithful. He is preparing in advance the things I’m to do. Reminders like these cause me to trust, even become eager and excited about the future, rather than anxious about what lies ahead.

I’m not sure if I shared these verses seated in the comfy chair during the coffee date with my young friend. I can’t remember, but I hope I did. For now, I’ve listed them in different versions to encourage you as you look to your future. Perhaps you’ll have a perspective shift… You’re all set!

Ephesians 2:7- 10 (Message translation) Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work.  All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV

For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us a new in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 NIV

The LORD says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8

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