“One measure of labor for one measure of harvest” has its truth, but it does not fully sum up life. We may work hard, yet we may not see results right away. We may plan carefully, yet we cannot always control the outcome. A job we thought was secure yesterday may change today because of new policy, the economy, or company restructuring. Someone we have poured our hearts into nurturing may suddenly decide to leave. A project in which we have invested much may not develop as expected. So we cannot help but ask: If the future is so uncertain, what is the point of working hard today?

         Ecclesiastes states plainly that we do not know what will happen in the future, nor can we understand all that God does. Yet because we cannot control the future, we must learn to live faithfully before God today. Since we do not know what trouble may come, we should not keep storing up things simply to protect ourselves. Nor should we place all our hopes on a single plan. “Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1–2)

          The Teacher urges us to be generous. He also teaches us to use wisdom in how we distribute what we have. This may look like taking on a task no one expects much from. It may mean continuing to study and prepare ourselves even when the future looks unclear. For the church, it means continuing to support missions, plant churches, care for the community, and shepherd those in need. These efforts may not bring quick results. They may not win the applause from others right away. Yet, even in uncertainty, we can still do good, give of ourselves, choose to do what is right, and move forward in the wisdom of God.

          Many people resort to “wait a little longer” to hide the fear within them. They want to wait until circumstances are stable, resources are sufficient, and success seems certain before they are willing to act. “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4) The Teacher points out that if a farmer keeps waiting until everything is ready and the weather is perfectly favorable, he will miss the opportunity both to sow and to reap.

         Of course, walking by faith does not mean ignoring consequences, nor does seeking God’s will exclude thinking and planning. It is simply that if we refuse to take a step until there is no risk at all, we will simply remain where we are. So the Teacher encourages us: “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” (Ecclesiastes 11:6) Morning and evening point to different times and opportunities. God can use our work in His own timing. We may not understand how many things happen, but we know that God’s work does not cease because of our lack of understanding.

         If you are facing an uncertain road ahead, setbacks at work, or a ministry in which you see no results, you can pray about tomorrow and prepare for the future; but first, faithfully do what God has entrusted to you today. As for the final outcome, the response of others, and what the future holds, entrust them to God. The future may be beyond our control, but our Lord remains sovereign even in turbulent, shifting times.