I don't know what the future may hold, but I know who holds the

"I don't know what the future may hold, but I know who holds the future." These words, spoken by the esteemed Ralph Abernathy, contain the wisdom of the ages. In them, Abernathy reveals the core of human resilience—the belief that while the future is uncertain and unknown, there is an undeniable power that governs its unfolding. The truth lies not in trying to predict or control every moment ahead, but in knowing who has the strength and authority to shape the future. This is a truth as old as humanity itself: faith in the guiding force of destiny, and trust in the wisdom that transcends the momentary struggles we face.

In times of great upheaval, when the world seems on the brink of change and uncertainty presses upon us, there are those who stand firm in their faith and vision. Ralph Abernathy, a leader of the Civil Rights Movement, faced such uncertainty. He lived in a world marked by struggle, oppression, and the ever-present weight of social injustice, yet he spoke these words with conviction. For Abernathy, the future was not defined by the challenges of the present, but by the deep faith he held in the divine and in the forces that he believed were guiding humanity toward justice and equality. Though the road was unclear, he knew that the future lay in the hands of something greater than mere circumstance.

Faith, the ancient and enduring belief in a higher power, is a cornerstone of this perspective. In the stories of old, we find countless heroes who, in the face of uncertainty, placed their trust in divine will, knowing that their destiny was not merely a matter of fate, but the result of a guiding hand. Consider the mighty Moses, who led the Israelites through the desert. When the path was shrouded in doubt and danger, when the journey seemed endless, it was not his own understanding of the future that guided him, but his faith in the divine presence that held the future in its hands. He did not know how or when the promise would be fulfilled, but he knew that he was not walking alone, and that the future was shaped by the One who held it.

Abernathy’s words resonate deeply in this context. The future, like the desert journey of Moses, is unknown and full of trials, but the certainty that divine purpose governs our path allows us to move forward with courage and conviction. It was not the political and social struggles of the time that determined the course of the Civil Rights Movement, but the faith and strength of leaders like Abernathy, Martin Luther King Jr., and countless others who believed that a greater power was guiding them toward the realization of justice. They may not have known what tomorrow held, but they were certain that the higher purpose was in charge of the unfolding future.

History is full of such examples, where those who faced unimaginable adversity placed their trust not in the certainty of outcomes, but in the conviction that they were part of something far greater than themselves. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years imprisoned, facing an uncertain future. Yet, he held steadfast to the belief that freedom and equality were not just his to achieve but were woven into the divine fabric of history. He did not know the future, but he knew who held it, and this understanding gave him the strength to endure and ultimately transform his nation.

In our own lives, we are often confronted with the unknown. The future may seem uncertain, filled with challenges we cannot foresee or comprehend. Yet, as Abernathy so profoundly expressed, we do not face this uncertainty alone. There is strength in knowing who holds the future, whether it be our faith, our principles, or a deeper understanding of the forces that guide us. This knowledge empowers us to face the unknown not with fear, but with confidence, knowing that the divine presence is at the helm.

The lesson here is clear: Do not be afraid of the unknown future, for it is not determined solely by the whims of chance or circumstance. Place your faith in the guiding hand that holds it, and trust that you are not alone in this journey. Live with purpose, live with faith, and trust in the divine that shapes the path before you. The future is not something to fear, but something to embrace, knowing that you are part of a greater plan that will unfold as it is meant to.