Who Knows Tomorrow? The Spiritual Side of Foresight

Who Knows Tomorrow? The Spiritual Side of Foresight By Gary E. Shelton, CRP Director {PLEASE NOTE: With the introduction of our newer initiatives from the Christian Readiness Project (CRP), we also are adding a regular blog to our website. It will issue at least once or twice a week depending upon schedules of other events. It may also have comments on different schedules about real-time events. So, please look here often, and, THANK YOU for reading.} Have you ever looked at a massive crisis in your life and wondered how you were going to survive it? Have you ever asked yourself where you can find the wisdom to make the right choices before a storm even hits your front door? We often talk about the logistics of preparedness, like storing water, securing documents, and buying extra food. Those things are very important. But if we only focus on the physical stuff, we are missing the most critical part of the entire equation. Long before your hands build a plan, your soul must have a deep, abiding connection to the Living God. True readiness requires spiritual discernment. To understand how this works, we have to look at the life of a young man named Joseph in the Book of Genesis. From Betrayal to the Palace Joseph's story starts with a total family disaster. He was betrayed by his own brothers, thrown into a pit, and sold into slavery. He was taken to Egypt, a strange land full of idols, where he was later falsely accused and locked away in a dark dungeon. By all human standards, Joseph's life was completely ruined. Yet, the Bible tells us over and over again that the Lord was with Joseph. God took that broken, enslaved young man and eventually elevated him to the highest position of power in the land of his captors, second only to Pharaoh himself. God did this for a massive, historic purpose. It was a divine plan to save both the people of Egypt and Joseph’s own family from a catastrophic, seven-year famine. Through Joseph's leadership, God preserved a family lineage and ultimately turned that single family into a mighty nation. The Backstory of Discernment We all know the famous practical part of the story. Joseph built massive grain bins and stored away twenty percent of the harvest during seven years of plenty so that the country would have food during the seven years of severe drought. But what was the real backstory? How did Joseph know exactly what to do? It wasn't because Joseph went to a top-tier business school or had an advanced degree in economic forecasting. The secret was his spiritual discernment. Joseph had a heart that knew how to listen to God. When Pharaoh had a confusing prophetic dream about fat cows and skinny cows, no one in the kingdom could understand it. Joseph could explain it because he was deeply attuned to the Holy Spirit. Joseph looked past the physical dream and saw the spiritual reality of what was coming. He had the spiritual insight to know that God was giving the world a merciful window of opportunity to prepare. Joseph's practical preparations were simply the physical legs on his spiritual faith. The Spiritual Preparations for All of Life This brings Joseph's ancient story right into your living room today. All of life requires spiritual preparation. The sudden emergencies, economic disasters, and negative personal crises of life demand that we have a foundation that cannot be shaken by outward circumstances. If we do not have spiritual discernment, we will look at the world around us and see only chaos. We will become paralyzed by fear or consumed by panic. But when you are walking closely with God, reading His Word, and praying for guidance, He gives you a sober mind. He helps you see the warning signs in our culture and gives you the wisdom to take proper action for your family, your neighbors, and the household of faith. Are you listening to the quiet promptings of God today? Are you taking the time to build a firm spiritual foundation through personal salvation and a holy life? Bags of rice and barrels of water are helpful tools, but they cannot give you peace in the middle of a dark night. Only Jesus can do that. Let us follow the example of Joseph. Let us seek the Lord for true spiritual discernment, recognize the signs of our times, and act wisely today so that we can be a source of strength, mercy, and Gospel witness to a dying world tomorrow.