The Way Ahead
by Malcolm Wood
As we enter another year none of us really knows what the year ahead holds for us. No doubt we can expect times of anticipation, excitement, disappointment, happiness, sadness, anxiety and satisfaction, because that’s the pattern of life. As we read in Ecclesiastes ‘there is a time for everything’ (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We all hope and pray that, throughout the year, the good times will outweigh the not so good times, but ultimately, as we commit each day to the Lord, we do so knowing He’ll have the final say (Proverbs 16:1).
Most of us have some idea of what may or may not happen during the forthcoming year, but none of us can be absolutely certain. It’s encouraging to know that the One who’s promised never to leave us or forsake us is the One who does know the future, and He also knows the best for us. Although circumstances are uncertain we can rely on our God and trust in Him, because He’s reliable and certain, and doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6)
As we consider the uncertainty of the future we can take encouragement from the truths expressed in the words of a hymn that say:
I do not know what lies ahead, the way I cannot see.
Yet one stands near to be my guide.
He`ll show the way to me.
I know who holds the future and He`ll guide me with His hand,
With God things don`t just happen, everything by Him is planned.
So as I face the future with its problems large and small,
I`ll trust the God of miracles, give to Him my all. (Alfred B Smith &Eugene Clarke 1947)
Let`s all, throughout the coming year, endeavour to walk more closely with the One who (as another song says) ‘knows the way through the wilderness’ and ‘all we have to do is follow’.
Prayer: Lead me, Lord. Lead me in Your righteousness. Make Your way plain before my face. Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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