Seeing the Future Written On a Page

Pastors sometimes have a perspective no one else gets to see because of where they sit in a sanctuary. I was sitting once on a crowded stage at a special service. There were band members, choir members, and orchestra members all shoved together. I was sitting behind them all towards the back of the stage. In that spot, I could see their music stands filled with sheets of music, which I can’t read. But, I could see one music stand just in front of a special

Pastor Neal Nybo

soloist. She had the words of her song printed in type large enough that I could easily read it over her shoulder from where I was sitting. It was as if I could see the future of the service written on that sheet of paper. I knew what would happen in a few minutes. The soloist has a beautiful, haunting voice. She has a way of singing that draws in your soul and makes you feel the emotions she is singing. So, when I read the words on her music stand, I could anticipate the joy we were all going to experience when her turn came to sing. And, the anticipation was nothing compared to the experience of hearing her sing it.

God has a similar relationship with you and me. God sees our lives in the coming days, months and years, long before we live them. In Isaiah 46:10 God says, “Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” God sees what is coming. He can’t wait for the joys and he grieves the challenges and disappointments that await us. Whatever is coming our way is no surprise to our God. He stands behind us and sees our future over our shoulder. He knows what is coming and he will never leave us or forsake us. We know our Lord is walking with us into the future. While it is unknown to us it is as clear to God as those words on that music stand were to me. I take comfort in that knowledge and I hope you can as well.

In His Name, Pastor Neal