Trusting God with the Future

I am really glad we suffered through the Washington DC traffic to tour George Mason University (GMU) for a potential college for my daughter, Asherel. On paper, it had looked like a perfect fit for her. It had her major with a focus on the artsy aspect of it, which few colleges have. It is only 2 hours from my son. It has clubs she's interested in, and her grades and test scores should hold her in good stead with the other applicants. My only concern is as a devout Christian, I wondered if a secular college was best for her. And then our tour guide (student ambassador) introduced herself and the first thing she told us was that she belonged to the campus Christian organization. She loves it, and enthused about all the great friends she met through it. I almost cried for the joy of how God works.

Asherel also liked GMU, not in small part due to the genuine exuberance for the college that our student ambassador possessed. She was smart, and funny, and eminently likeable. She made us feel that there was nothing she or the college desired more than to embrace us and draw us into their world. While there were few students around, the people we did meet seemed very friendly. It felt right. It is only the second college we have visited, so I am sure Asherel is not ready to sign the dotted line, but I could certainly see my daughter very happy at that school. I thought about how critical the ambassador's role was in enticing us to love the college. It reminded me that I am an ambassador for Christ. Am I doing as well enticing others to His kingdom? (Hint: no. I need to do much better.)

I had a terrible migraine when I awoke that morning, and wondered how I would last the day. Nonetheless, I was up well before Asherel, so went on a run. I found the college easily after running through the beautiful historic town of old Fairfax. The headache slowly dissipated as I pictured visiting my dear daughter when she was off to college. I imagined the beautiful runs I would enjoy through that lovely village. Our hotel was inexpensive and close to the campus. I finished the run feeling joyful, thinking how perfectly God is in the details.

Most of the time, I look to the future with anxiety. I find it hard to assume everything will work out, but God gave me a wonderful gift that sunny morning at George Mason University. The future belongs to Him, and we know that "all things work together for good, for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)  It is God who gives us a hope and a future. How quickly I forget that and lose hope in the enormity of the tasks before me! It seemed such a little thing, that tour guide with her bright smile telling us she belonged to a vibrant campus Christian group, but it changed my world. She was a strong ambassador thinking she was pleading the case for GMU, but in my heart, I felt her pleading the case for Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:20
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

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Proverbs 3:5 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Romans 8:28 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Psalm 37:4-6 

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

Proverbs 3:6 

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Hebrews 13:8 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Romans 15:13 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Matthew 6:25 

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?