Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

I’m sure I’m not the only person who has asked this question, actually, I know I’m not the only person. I would confidently bet that each and every one of us at one point in time or another has asked … “God, what in the world do you have in store for me?” That question has been going through my mind a lot lately as I reflect on the call process we have been in now for about three years. I will admit, at times, it’s hard to be optimistic. I know that everything is in God’s hands. I know that His ways are not our ways and that His thoughts are not our thoughts. I know all that … but that doesn’t always make it easier.

As I preached at the Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School graduation ceremony, I brought up this idea of what it is which God has in store for them. Just like our graduates, they have chosen their school or their career path. But there are still so many unknowns which they are going to face.

Thinking about this, enjoying my cup of coffee, I’m again reminded of Joshua in the Old Testament. At the end of Deuteronomy, Moses tells the Israelite people that because of his sin against God, he is not going to be leading them into the Promised Land, Joshua will. Now imagine that for a bit. Moses is the one who led this group of Israelites parents and grandparents out of Egypt. Moses is the one who led all the people through the wilderness for the past forty years. They kind of expected Moses to be the one to lead them in the Promised Land. But that wasn’t the case. God had other plans.

The Israelites look to Moses, Joshua looks to Moses and they are all like “Wait a minute! God, what do you have in store for me?” Moses tells the people and Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified … for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6). This same message is told to Joshua at least eight or nine times between Deuteronomy 31 and Joshua 2. Leaning on the LORD, trusting in the LORD, Joshua leads the people into the Promised Land. The LORD goes on ahead of them and helps the Israelites clear the land of the pagan nations, just as He said He would.

As I drink my coffee and write this, I can’t help but also look back over my time here at Salem Lutheran Church, over my ministry, really, over my whole life and notice where it is and how it is God has walked along with me. He has always provided me with what I need. Granted, it may not always be what I think is best, but God has given me exactly what it is that I need.

And He does the same for you. The future will always have its questions; it will always have its unknown. The variables of life are constantly and will forever be changing. The one constant thing … God’s promises; God’s presence.

Do I know when we are going to get an Associate Pastor? Nope. Do I know what God has in store for my future, the future of my family, of your future? Nope. The only certainty I have, God will be with you and me wherever it is we go. I also know that because of my faith in Jesus and what it is He has done for me through His life, death, and resurrection, I know that “my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:25-26).

Going back to my original question, “What does God have in store for me?” Here’s the answer: God has in store for me His grace, His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, and His eternal presence.  All these are given to me freely by the love He has for me shown through Jesus. Through these, God gives me the comfort and strength to meet the days ahead knowing that someday I will stand before my Redeemer in my flesh and I will prosper in His eternal kingdom. All this He also freely gives to you!

In Christ,

Pastor Mike