The basement in my home recently flooded. It happened once before — years ago — when the conditions were just perfect.
When it snows for a few days and then rains severely for a couple of days on top of the snow, it creates the perfect environment for water to rush into my basement. In 24 hours, we vacuumed more than 400 gallons of water out of our basement.
Although the flooding was not good, this time it was different from years ago because I was prepared for it. I had laid out all the necessary equipment and taken all possible flood-preventing measures to ensure the least amount of damage to our home. I have no control over the elements of the weather, but I could be prepared and do my due diligence to minimize the damage to my home.
Often in life, there are many things we can’t control. However, choices we make — especially preemptive choices — can shape the future of our lives in profound ways. Taking steps to be prepared for the world we live in is vitally important.
Years ago, I made the choice to attend an Adventist university. I knew it meant more expense than a state school or community college. I knew it probably meant going and living away from my parents. I knew it would be less familiar than a college close to home and, therefore, a bit more foreboding. Even though I knew these things, I made the choice to attend an Adventist university.
Two major reasons propelled me to attend an Adventist university. First, I wanted to go to school to be educated as a pastor. From a young age, I felt God calling me into pastoral ministry. It wasn’t just a passing feeling but a continually growing conviction that my life needed to be dedicated to sharing Jesus with people. This conviction continues to live in my heart to this day — a conviction I cannot shake off, nor do I want to. Going to an Adventist university meant I could pursue this calling and gain the education necessary to be employed in this denomination and share Jesus with people more effectively.
The second reason was that I wanted to have a chance at finding a God-fearing, Adventist man to spend my life with. I knew attending an Adventist school wasn’t a guarantee for finding a future spouse, but I felt it presented the best odds. June 2026 will mark 15 years married to my husband, who is both a God-fearing man and a fellow Adventist pastor.
We have been blessed to be married and share life together, as well as do ministry together for many years. The conviction of a call to do pastoral ministry together is as strong for us as our call to be married, as we see God work in a mighty way through our joined effort to share Him with our world. We have seen God provide opportunities before, and we continue to trust that He will as we move forward.
Twenty years ago, you could not have told me that my life would look like it does today. Many things have happened over the past two decades — some fabulous and some very difficult things — but the trajectory of my life has remained the same. I could not have predicted all I have experienced in these years, but I did prepare the best I could.
Each of us has choices to make every day that prepare us for our future. Many times, we don’t understand how those choices affect us until years have gone by and we look back to see how the decisions we made shaped our lives and futures.
As I vacuumed up gallons of water pouring into my basement, I chuckled that at least I was prepared for it. I found myself thinking of Noah and the flood. This man heard God and listened. He began to build an ark for water that had never fallen before, and it was the most ludicrous idea the world had ever heard of. Yet, Noah trusted God because he had already built a living relationship with Him and would follow Him no matter what the world thought.
God promises that He will guide us in our lives and futures if we seek Him. "'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. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart'" (Jer. 29:11–13).
Setting a foundation for future success starts today. As the world continues to literally crumble around us, our foundation is crucial.
God, in His great love for us, promises to be our firm foundation and provider of our future. How? When? Where? Those are the questions we are left asking each day, many days without an obvious answer until we look back and see just how clearly God directed our paths.
Seek God and you will surely find Him. Give Him your heart and trust Him with it. Set yourself up for future success by letting God lead you now!
