When the Future Holds More Questions Than Answers

Inside: What to remember when you’re at a crossroads and don’t know what’s next. ~

Two notable events took place in May 1993. I graduated from college, and Alan Jackson released the iconic song “Chattahoochee.”

If you weren’t paying attention to country music three decades ago, this award-winning song shot straight to No. 1 on country radio and eventually became the top tune of the year.

I didn’t realize the song came out the same month I graduated until I sat down to write this post. I think it’s fitting, though, considering the line from the song that hits me every time I hear it on my running playlist.

“Never had a plan just a livin’ for the minute.”

Oh, the Irony

As I look back over my life in light of this lyric, I can’t escape a bit of irony. As much as I worried about all sorts of future events and circumstances, I’ve never been much of a planner.

I suppose I should clarify. When various situations arose—say, a pending job loss, a move or a loved one’s health crisis—I had plenty of plans for how they should be resolved. I didn’t hesitate to share these ideas with God in prayer, sometimes in minute detail.

This should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, but God usually didn’t implement my plans. Sometimes the things I worried about didn’t happen at all, but most of the time, the outcome looked nothing like I had spelled out.

A More Relaxed Approach

When it comes to parts of life that actually fall within my control, however, I think it’s fair to say I’m more relaxed. I have a rough to-do list for my days. But I’ve never set career goals or made outlines about where I hope to be in five or 10 years.

For the most part, this has worked out OK during my years as a stay-at-home mom of school-age kids. But that season is ending.

Molly graduated from high school last weekend. Lilly is gearing up to spend her next semester of college abroad.

The Great Unknown

All three of us are pondering questions about the future. But while the girls are in an exciting phase with many wonderful possibilities ahead of them, I find myself staring into the great unknown with scarcely a clue about what to do.

Perhaps you’re right there with me. Whether you’re anticipating an empty nest, finishing up grad school, contemplating the future without a loved one or confronting some other kind of crossroads, the questions far outweigh the answers.

For some, this might be an exciting place to be. For others, myself included, it’s easier to get excited when we know what’s coming and we have a concrete plan for how it’s going to happen.

That’s not how life usually works, however. Not mine, and probably not yours.

Zigs and Zags

When I imagine a timeline of my life, I don’t see a straight ascent from one season or job to the next. I see a lot of zigs and zags. A lot of “this prepared me for that, but I didn’t know it at the time.”

Regrettably, I see a few opportunities I turned down largely out of fear. But I also see opportunities that seemed to come out of nowhere that turned out to be wonderful.

It’s not that God wasn’t listening when I used to give him those detailed instructions about how my life should go, it’s that He had other plans for me. And perhaps for you too.

God of All Our Days

It’s God, not us, who is sovereign over our entire lifespan. As Psalm 139:16 says, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (NIV)

This verse provided hope when Randy and I were waiting to adopt our daughters and comfort when my parents were nearing death. But I sometimes need to be reminded that it doesn’t just apply to the beginning and end of life.

It applies to all those days in the middle too, including the ones full of question marks.

Moving Forward

This might be a stretch, but I think that catchy line from “Chattahoochee” is a good starting point to help us move forward into that unknown future.

Perhaps it’s time to actually make some plans, and then offer them to God with open hands, trusting that He will complete the work He has started our lives. While we wait for the way ahead to become clear, we can live for each minute by devoting our energy and attention to the people and tasks right in front of us.

After all, in the words of the Psalmist, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, ESV)

• • •

Do you relate to the “Chattahoochee” lyric I quoted? Or does a line from another song—country or otherwise—describe you better in this season of your life? Please share in the comments.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.