16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:16-21 NLT
This story that Jesus told has a number of thought pondering messages; one of which is confidence in the future. Life unfolds in a sequential and predictable manner; birth, school, university, career, marriage, children, retirement, and then passing. For some people this plays out according to plan; but for many, life gets interrupted.
We had a wonderful summer this past year; long warm days, clear blue skies, and very little wind. Fall was shaping up to be just as memorable when out of nowhere it snowed the first week of October and hasn’t warmed up since. The leaves never turned colour; much less drop off the trees. My grass was still green and healthy; now buried till May under a foot of snow. We literally went from summer to winter in the span of a week.
The farmer was looking forward to life of ease, we were looking forward to an Indian summer, and my dad thought mother would out live him. Jesus reminds us in this story that life does always follow a predictable path; as a matter of fact he calls those that trust in the things of this world; fools. I am confident that my family will suffer pain and disappointment in the future — but I am also confident that we will never experience life alone.
My hope and dreams are not in the people, institutions, or governments of this world. I have a relationship with God as His child; He will care for me even better than I care for my own children. As my relationship with Him gets richer each day, this world loses a bit more of its shine. I have no idea what you may experiencing today, but God wants you to know that He is there, and He is predictable.
Father thank you so much for the blessing of life — forgive me for not recognizing that all good things are a gift from you; underserved and many times unappreciated. I ask you today to never leave me. Keep my focus at home and work on eternity — Let people see Jesus in all I say and do. In His precious name; Amen