My mind lives in the future. I have intentionally tried to make decisions that will have a positive impact on my personal mission which largely revolves around healthy family relationships and building a better future for my children and their children.

In some conversations with fellow believers, there can seem to be a conflict between surrender of the future and planning for it, a tension easily turned into a debate between complacency and proactivity. Between the value of playing it by ear or detailed planning of the days, weeks, months and years yet to come.

Wrestling with these callings over the past few years, I have come to realize that my desire to plan for the future is an attempt to be wise in stewarding the time, resources, talents and relationships the Lord has provided to me.

"Do not worry about what tomorrow brings"

God lays out in scripture that we should not worry about what tomorrow brings. These callings are well known to me because of their recital throughout childhood, which lead to their repetition in the days of my life marked by disappointment, dread, and failing plans.

[!bible]+ Proverbs 3:5-6 - LSB 5. Trust in Yahweh with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6. In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

[!bible]+ 1 Peter 5:7 - LSB 6. casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

[!bible]+ Matthew 6:25-27 - LSB 7. Do Not Worry
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26. Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27. And which of you by worrying can add a single cubit to his life span?

I do not, nor do I desire to call into question any of these life and peace giving truths espoused by our creator; however, I do take issue with using them as an excuse to live without any intentionality for the future. Memories of past failure stir up anxiety, which reminds me that we should not be anxious, and I am tempted to retreat to a life free of this worry by having no goals to measure myself against.

"Failing to plan is planning to fail"

In my rejection of this complacent future, I confront my fears. By remembering what the Lord taught me, thinking through what I misunderstood, contemplating any misstep, and taking action to remedy those shortcomings, I become a better steward of the resources the Lord has placed in my control.

I believe we are called to:

plan for the future

[!bible]+ Proverbs 6:6-8 - LSB 6. Go to the ant, O sluggard,
Observe her ways and be wise,
7. Which, having no chief,
Officer or ruler,
8. Prepares her food in the summer
And gathers her provision in the harvest.

weigh possible future outcomes and diversify,

[!bible]+ Ecclesiastes 11:2 - LSB 7. Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what calamity may occur on the earth.

and treat every opportunity with as much diligence as we can muster.

[!bible]+ Luke 16:10 - LSB 8. “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much, and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.

I plan for the year to come by first reviewing the past year. I think through the year, read my journals and notes, and write down what I learned, people I met, and prayers that were answered. Then I look back at the goals I set the year before and evaluate my progress. Did the Lord open some unexpected doors? Was there a door closed which I thought was open?

Every year there are plans I set which the Lord showed me were not His plans. Sometimes it is painful, sometimes it is exciting, but as a Christian I have an advantage that the unbeliever does not have:

[!bible]+ Proverbs 16:3 - LSB 3. Commit your works to Yahweh
And your plans will be established.

[!bible]+ Proverbs 16:9 - LSB 9. The heart of man plans his way,
But Yahweh directs his steps.

Namely, encouraged as I am to: plan, diversify, invest, and work hard, the Lord ultimately directs the path I walk on.

This gives me a freedom and assurance without which the world would indeed look much more daunting. Without which the fear of failure could become overwhelming and stop me trying new things. But with this assured direction, I can plan, deliberate and endeavor to create new things with the resources the Lord has given me. Those new businesses, communities, and relationships will be used by the Lord for His purpose.

Two weeks into 2026 I am looking back at 2025 grateful for new friends, new ideas, and the way He has affirmed the steps we have taken in our businesses. I am looking forward to 12 months from now when once more consider the goals written on the first pages of my journal and where the Lord ends up leading. Who will the Lord introduce me to in 2026? What doors will open and which ones I see now will close? How will I become a better steward of what the Lord places in my care this year?

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wonderful and precious life?" - Mary Oliver

"What you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." - Goethe

[!bible]+ Jeremiah 29:11 - LSB 11. For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares Yahweh, ‘plans for peace and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.