Yesterday was one of our hottest days yet this year. I wouldn’t bother to mention it except a young man stopped by and asked if he could please plow the snow out of my driveway this coming winter. Now how could I say no to such an enterprising forward-looking young man? But what about the young man who plowed us out last winter? That is not a problem. They were both at my door. It seems my last year’s plower is going to college in Boston this fall and he is transferring his business to his friend. I have to tell you I was impressed. We hear so much about the lazy irresponsibility of today’s youth and all they want to do is eat pizza and play video games. Obviously that isn’t true. There before me stood two healthy looking young men preparing for the future. How very refreshing.
Looking forward, planning for the future and being responsibly concerned about tomorrow is an admirable attribute. One of the first stories I ever read all by myself was of the ants and the grasshopper. The ants toiled all summer while the grasshopper played his fiddle. When the winter came the ants were snug and well fed while the grasshopper was cold and hungry. Looking at the larger picture of our lives we need to think long-term. While three score and ten might seem like forever when we are twenty, it is nothing when we are three score plus or when three score and ten is in the rearview mirror.
Jesus and His gift to us is the ultimate plan for the future. God in His incredible love has already cared for our future. All He needs from us is cooperation.
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 11, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org