When were you last asked, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
The last time someone asked me that question, I responded, “I have absolutely no idea.”
My response startled this person.
Prior to that moment, I had planned to get a doctorate in piano performance, become a professor, and form a chamber music trio with other faculty. I had literally mapped out my life plan in five-year increments all the way to age ninety!
I applied for this part-time administrative support position primarily to generate more income. But deeper reasons existed too. My patience in teaching music had worn thin. Plus, I was dealing with intense physical pain in my upper body when performing. I recognized I needed to transition away from that field, at least temporarily.
What does this have to do with enjoying God and the study of Psalm 1:5-6?
Review the entire Psalm to prepare for closely studying the final two verses.
The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish. [1]
What does the phrase “will not stand” mean in verse five?
The phrase, “will not stand” means a person or thing is not accepted, permitted, or able to endure “something”.
How have verses 1-4 prepared us to understand verse five?
The Lord will judge those who choose to live outside of the Lord’s law as unacceptable.
Note this judgment is the Lord’s prerogative, not ours.
What is the significance of the plurality of “the congregation of the righteous” in verse five compared to the singular pronouns used for the “blessed” in verses 1-4?
Until verse five, tension exists between the singularity of a person committed to the Lord pitted against the plurality of the wicked, sinners, or mockers. This tension emphasizes our human tendency to drift away from the Lord as a real daily battle of choices.
But verse five reveals that the person who seeks the Lord’s ways is never truly alone. In fact, those who remain faithful to the Lord’s ways will have a permanent home and community with the Lord.
What does the phrase “knows the way” convey about the Lord in verse six?
Knowing the ways of a person reveals a sense of intimacy with that person.
It is more than just knowing, for example, how someone takes their coffee or tea.
If we accept the Lord created us, immerse ourselves in His laws (scripture), and live accordingly, the Lord blesses and protects us for eternity.
If we choose to forge our own paths, disregarding the Lord’s ways, then we lose out on the blessing and protection of the Lord for eternity.
The way to enjoy God is by developing an intimate relationship with the Lord. We do this by spending time with Him in His word, pondering His presence in all of creation, and living in ways that acknowledge His existence and supremacy over our choices.
What does my response of not knowing where I would be in five years have to do with enjoying God and the study of Psalm 1:5-6?
Back in my undergraduate studies days, I accepted a part-time position as an administrative assistant in my college band department. I worked one shift and then resigned, stating, “This is not for me.”
Now here I was, roughly fifteen years later, accepting another part-time administrative assistant position.
When asked where I saw myself in five years, I was completely “off-road” from my plans till age ninety and everything was unclear to me. So, I truly had no clue where this was leading.
Now, almost twenty years later, I am still in administrative work as an office manager where part of my role involves helping train staff on the software we use.
In addition, I responded to the Lord’s call to pursue a seminary degree and to start this Bible study blog to share His amazing restoration plan. I also enjoy leading discussions in my Sunday Life Group and other small groups focused on God’s word, thus putting my teaching gifts to work there as well.
Do I miss my career as a musician? I miss performing regularly but am happy to have stopped teaching music.
As I transitioned away from my identity as a classical musician, I began only relying on the Lord to guide my steps and hold any trajectory plans with open hands.
I am not saying one should not set five-year goals. But we should always hold our plans before our Lord and seek His guidance for what those goals should be.
Why?
Because The Lord knows the way of the righteous (verse six) and provides counsel for our steps through His law (verses 1-2).
Also, I am not saying my pursuit of a music career was a wicked thing for me to choose. The part that was the problem was how I let it become my identity.
Psalm 1 reminds us that our identity rests in being an intimate friend with our Lord. All else, no matter what it is: careers, family, friends, health, status, etc., is secondary.
When we choose to seek the Lord first, we will learn to enjoy God and receive both blessings and protection for eternity.
9 The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps. [2]
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn
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[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 1:1–6.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Pr 16:9.