Have you ever wondered how paradoxical it can feel to plan for the future yet live in the present? Two weeks ago, I wrote about How to think long-term in an instant gratification world. But it can be tempting to begin worrying about your long-term goals. That’s why some people don’t set long-term goals. It’s difficult to live in the tension of the present with hopes for the future. It can bring worry to think of how much you have to do to get there.

At times we can be deceived that our worry or anxiety is a form of planning or doing. It can feel like “if I don’t keep this thing at the forefront of my mind all the time, if I am not worrying about it, then I don’t care enough.” But truly all you are doing in worrying and not doing.

A better way is when you set your goals, make your plan, and do what you need to do each day, the rest that is left is patience to see how things will unfold. Jot down ideas as they come to mind, but you don’t need to worry about it.  

The whole premise of mindfulness an effective intervention to deal with anxiety and worry, is to focus on the present without judgment. In other words, when you make your new year’s plans and your long-term goals, don’t dwell on how it will happen to the point where it takes you away from living and enjoying the present.

In the Bible, Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 6:25-34 to not be anxious about the future because God knows what we need, and He will provide. He calls us to live one day at a time.

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34 NIV)

As a young Christian, I used to think that meant I didn’t need to do much, but I quickly discovered that’s not what He’s saying. We still have to plan and do the work, but we don’t have to worry about what is out of our control.

A great example of God calling his people to live in the present while anticipating the future is seen in Jeremiah 29:1-14. Many of us like to quote Jeremiah 29:11 where God says,

“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.” (NIV)

We remember God’s great promise to His people. But we don’t often read what happened before. The Israelites are about to go into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon for 70 years meaning they are forced to leave their home and go to a foreign land. He tells them in verse 4 to 7 that while they are there, they should…

Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. (Jeremiah 29:4-7 NIV) 

Straight forward right? God is basically telling them to settle down and make themselves at home in their present and enjoy their lives there even though they are in exile. And then He makes the promise that He has great plans for them.

It may sound like “that makes sense” but think about it. Imagine you had just created your 5-10 year goals, you were going to go to school, get another job, grow your business, teach your kids soccer, etc. You had all these plans of what you were going to do. And then you are kicked out of your country into a foreign country that you don’t know. And God tells you, you’ll be there for 70 years (some of us would die there), so settle down and make this place your home and remember God has great plans for you. That’s a little scary. But it sounds like the epitome of plan for the future but enjoy your life in the present. And trust God with all of it because God has great plans for the future.

Life is full of paradoxes and somehow God trusts us so much to handle them. Therefore, as you plan for your future, remember to live and enjoy the present.