I love the story that comes out of Greece in the 4th or 5th century B.C. There was a war between two neighboring city-states. A spy from one city was captured in the other city, and sentenced to be executed. But he insisted that he be granted an interview with the tyrant of that city, and when he stood before him, he said "O great king, if you do not execute me, but instead allow me to live a mere five years longer, I will teach your favorite horse to sing."

The king thought about that, and eventually decided, "What's five years? I can always kill him at the end of it." And so he agreed, and the spy was led away.

A few weeks later, the spy was in the stables playing the harp in front of the king's horse, and two friends of his who had smuggled themselves into the city in disguise came to him to find out what was going on. He told them the story of what had happened, and they said, "You're crazy! You can't teach a horse to sing, and then the king will kill you!"

The spy said very wisely, "In five years, anything can happen. The king may die; I may die: or, the horse may learn to sing." And he went on playing the harp.

I think there's a good piece of advice there. We often worry about what will happen several years down the road. There's not much sense worrying because a lot can happen between now and then. Knowing that we can do nothing to change much of what may or may not happen, and knowing that we have a heavenly Father who loves us and will take care of us, Jesus warned against worry (Matthew 6:25-34)

The apostle Paul not only tells us not to worry, but also tells us what the alternative should be:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

What are you worrying about? In five years, anything can happen. Turn it over to God in prayer.