Before You Meet Your Future HusbandShembull

“God’s Invisible Hand”

We hope that many character-shaping adventures happen to you before you get married. We hope God gives you stretching experiences. Why? Because as a result of those episodes, you will see God’s invisible hand, and it will strengthen you and prepare you to be a more understanding and patient friend, wife, co-worker, and mother.

When I (Robin) was in my twenties, I backpacked around Europe for the summer with some of my girlfriends. One morning, in Venice, Italy, we woke up in our youth hostel bunk beds and heard the rain pouring outside. We had planned to take an early train to Florence, so we strapped on our backpacks, pulled up our hoods, and sloshed our way to the train station.

We arrived at our platform just in time to see the caboose of the 7 am train as it left the station, headed to Florence without us.

None of us said a word. We found a table at the coffee bar and ordered cappuccinos. The longer we waited, the grouchier and more miserable we became. In our impatience, we started blaming each other for getting to the station late.

After a while, a fellow tourist leaned over and asked, “Did you hear? A mudslide took out the tracks. The train to Florence was derailed.”

The invisible hand of God had made us miss the train.

Today’s readings offer just a few of the ways that the Bible reveals how God is always at work, shaping circumstances and fulfilling His good plan for His people. That’s what we mean by His “invisible hand.” And his providential care for us enables us to rest and to rely on Him.

“My future is in your hands” (Psalm 31:15). Those six words express such a simple declaration. But what a strong foundation! Say it over and over.

When we believe—really, truly at the gut level—that our future is in God’s hands, we will not accuse others of messing up our plans. We won’t become angry when our schedule must go on hold or when a relationship with a guy is obliterated. We won’t wrongfully blame ourselves or others. We will trust God.

If you believe that God is really in control, what do you need to start saying to yourself and others to express that your future is in God’s hands?