Repair Your Future

The Future is a scary place, and I’m thinking specifically about a war going on right now. Can any of us know what tomorrow will be like?

I grew up in an era where we faced continual dangers and fears—the Cold War. We learned to duck under our school desk if the big one went off – as if that flimsy piece of school furniture would protect us. One war ended, another began, and an even longer war that could have included me. Thousands dead and those who returned were ridiculed for their participation. Add the ’60s movement and all the political intrigue.

It was a weird time.

But we grew up in church, and it was from this foundation I learned where my Comfort came from and from whose Strength we drew from to face the day.

Today, we struggle in the present because we carry the past load, and we have no clear focus on the Future. It’s almost as if our past weighs us down, and the Future frightens us.

Some would say that being ” present ” is the best thing we have going for us. I basically agree. But when we don’t consider the Future, we live moment by moment and do not plan on all the tomorrows ahead of us.

If Only Tomorrow Was Manageable

If we could only know what tomorrow would be like, we could better prepare for it now. It’s a fearful thing not to know the Future, and equally, to know the Future. In a sense, we know what tomorrow may be like, and it would do us well to prepare.

That’s where this thought is born.

Part of our daily existence should be spent not just preparing for the Future but “Repairing the Future” because we know what we want it to be like. Not Preparing For, but since we know something about tomorrow, perhaps we need to live in a mode where we are repairing.

If you are looking for a better future, look no further than your connection with God.

The Weeping Prophet writes the sentiments of God.

There is hope in your future, says the LORD, …
Jeremiah 31:17 NKJV 

Their needs were different. I don’t want to be guilty of taking the focus of the scripture out of context. There is hope in your Future. I want to work now so I can be present in the Future. I need to make some changes today so tomorrow will arrive.

Hence my thought. “Repairing the Future.” I cannot change my circumstances, but I can repair who I am to be ready for the Future.

It’s Time For Some Scripture

The Apostle Paul penned some words we have learned to live by.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected;
but I press on,
that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;
but one thing I do, 
forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 
I press toward
the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV)

I press on is a present tense term. What I’m doing right now is pushing ahead. It does not show what we are pressing toward, only that our movement makes forward motion, even progress.

I forget the past. I cannot change what’s happened. My regrets are many. I may amend my views and actions for the present, but what happened back there is history.

So, I press toward.

It’s what I’m doing right now. I wish we could understand this better. What I’m doing right now is so essential.

But pastor, I know what to do, but it isn’t easy doing everything right!

Yes! You got it! Even the Apostle Paul wrestled with this.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells;
for to will is present with me,
but how to perform what is good I do not find.  
For the good that I will to do, I do not do;
but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
Romans 7:18-19 NKJV 

How then do I overcome this tendency? By Repairing the Future! Today…Now…My next step…

• I’m pressing into the Lord’s presence.
• I’m pressing into his Word to better know him and his plan for me…
• I’m pressing with my Prayer, Worship, Conscecration, Love.

Daily. Hourly, Every breath I breathe.

Here’s how you Repair Your Future…

Set a Goal. Make A Plan. Then Do it no matter what’s happening. Paul has a plan. There’s a goal. The upward call of God in Christ Jesus. The Prize!

We struggle today, plan for tomorrow, and hope it turns out okay. Remember, the Future is a scary place. War. Disease. Uncertainty. But if we could take ownership of who we are. I know myself better in some ways than anyone else in the world. When I lose my faithfulness to God dabble around with rebellion and sin, then I’m letting my Future corrode and rust.

My outward appearance may show I have everything under control. Quit lying to yourself. You are a sinner saved by Grace.

For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  
not of works, lest anyone should boast.  
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV 

You are not perfect. But if you keep reveling in your imperfection, you will wake up someday in your Future and look back over your shoulder. You will pound your chest and say things like… If only I had….

Your Future is being developed by your If Only’s.

What do we do?

You cannot repair a broken past.
You can only build a better future.
Keep your eyes on the Future.

Your focus needs to be Repairing the Future.

If I only knew… What would you do if you knew the Future? We don’t know tomorrow.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made an impact on all of our lives.

“Therefore do not worry, saying,
‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  
For after all these things the Gentiles seek.
For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.  
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about its own things.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV

How do we Repair the Future? Seek God First…His Kingdom, His Righteousness… Everything else will get added. Don’t worry about tomorrow. You don’t have to if you are seeking God first.

Think about it like this.

Jacob wrestled with an angel, worried about meeting his brother tomorrow. But it was in the wrestling he received his blessing, name change, and a reminder of that important moment of worrying.

Paul and Silas sang in the midnight jail, partly because they had an important event coming up, and singing chases away the blues. Maybe Paul didn’t worry, but we probably would have had you and I been with him! Silas…Worried? Yes, but I’m going to Worship with Paul.

When we focus on getting through the trial, we do what gets us through. Just make sure that the trial is all about Seeking God First!