“I’m casting my cares aside. I’m leaving my past behind. I’ setting my heart and mind on You, Jesus. I’m reaching my hand to Yours, believing there’s so much more. Knowing that all you have in store for me is good.” sings the song ‘Today is the Day’ by Lincoln Brewster. I love it because it speaks of a promise that what’s in store for you and me is good.
I remember in 2009 when I was preparing for the CPA Board Exam. I was so excited yet terrified to finally take the tests in those seven subjects provided by our board. What kept me going was the verse from the book of Jeremiah (29:11), “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.’”
There it goes again – a promise that what’s in store for you and me is good. There goes that promise, a beautiful and bountiful promise. So rejoice and move forward. Cast your cares aside. Your wonderful future awaits you!
After persevering in my accountancy studies and review schooling, I passed the board exam in 2009 and started working in January 2010. “I made it,” I whispered. But that was just the start of something bigger.
While I began to experience things that are new and marvelous, I also began to face more of life’s challenges. It dawned on me that while life is beautiful, it can be tough. In hindsight, it is better stated, life can be tough but it is beautiful. You just have to make those rightful choices and decisions. Keep on taking the rightful actions. And in case you make mistakes and go awry, just make the right turn and come back to the right path. Because life can be tough!
It is not promised that life will be easy. In fact, it says that persecutions will come. Suffering. Dark valleys you would walk through. But that’s the beauty of it – you will walk through it. You will not live in it nor stay in it – you will walk through it. You will surpass. You will overcome. You will emerge victorious!
And why is that? Because you will persevere, with His love and grace. You will stay strong. As He says, “I will be with you until the end of time.” And He will complete the work He began in you.
So, keep the faith. Endure the trials. Move forward. Face life’s challenges. Claim what’s in store for you that is good.
Get excited! Life can be tough but it is beautiful.
To the students who are graduating this month/year, congratulations! Heads up. Walk forward!
(Chris Dao-anis, CPA, DTM serves as keynote speaker and trainer on leadership, confidence building, and public speaking. For talks and trainings, email info@chrisdaoanis.com or visit www.chrisdaoanis.com. His latest book Living Large in the Little Things is available at Mt. Cloud Bookshop, Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Road, Baguio City.)
