Complete this sentence:
The future is____________________.
What word did you use?
Good?
Scary?
Uncertain?
Bright?
Wild?
I used to peer into mirrors like they were crystal balls, like if I stared long enough and studied myself hard enough maybe I would discover some kind of clue as to the person I would someday become.
But the future isn’t a mirror. A mirror reflects back what you are, what is, what’s real and what’s present.
When I look into a mirror, I see myself exactly as I am. (I see you, gray hair.)
Did you know that the way we define ourselves is actually based on our view, not of our PRESENT, but of our FUTURE?
So it would be impossible to see my future in the mirror. The future, then, must be more like a window. It’s that place you see in the distance, and long for, even though you’re sitting inside and maybe can’t go out for awhile.
What do you believe about what’s ahead?
If you think the world is going to hell in a handbasket, if you are afraid there’s no future for either you or your children, or if you feel stuck in a repetitive cycle of sameness, your future probably does look bleak.
According to organizational psychologist and author, Benjamin Hardy, humans are different from other animals in that we can consciously imagine different future possibilities.
Your identity actually comes from your view of the future.
You know why losses are so devastating? Because you had already imagined the future. It’s why that miscarriage was so hard. That divorce was so painful. That job loss was a punch in the gut. You imagined a growing child, a healthy marriage, a fulfilling career. What happened? “This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be!” you cry.
And you’d be right.
Some of us dread the future.
And some of us dream of a new future.
“My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.”
I love thinking about the future me, the person I want to be. During my year of Mission Driven Woman interviews, it was one of just three questions I asked those I interviewed.
“Tell me about the future you,” I’d say. “Who do you want to be? How do you want people to describe you?”
Identity is kind of a funny thing because as a Christian, I believe our identity is found in God, and since God is already in the future, then YES! That makes sense! Our identity IS the future !
The Bible lists all these examples of God leading people to places he’s already been and knows well.
Genesis 24:7: “…he will send his angel before you…”
Exodus 32:34: “…lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you.”
Joshua 23:5: “…He will drive them out before you, and you will take possession of their land, as the Lord your God promised you.”
Isaiah 45:2: I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.
Isaiah 52:12: “But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God Israel will be your rear guard.”
Psalms 89:14: “…love and faithfulness go before you…”
Psalms 139:5: You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
You know what’s interesting about all these examples? The people described were a lot more interested in the person they were following than the people who were following them.
(Take a second and think about that one.)😉
And suddenly, here I am, understanding that even though I don’t know what the future holds, God does. And that has to be enough. Because from this vantage point, the future can be wild and uncertain, but wild and uncertain in the context of God’s kingdom means something totally different than it does here on earth. Here, wild and uncertain are scary, but in heaven the wild and uncertain places are the places where God lives.
If your identity is in your future and your future is in God, then you don’t need to worry about what’s next. You can have confidence that every tiny step you take in the direction of your future is exactly where you’re supposed to be, especially if you’re following in the footsteps of the one who is already there.
Today, I found a birthday card among the doo-dads in my desk drawer. It was from my investment advisor, and I almost tossed it aside, but the words inscribed on the card made me pause because I was just about to hit “publish” on this post, when I read:
“May the best of your past be the worst of your future.”
The most successful people are able to look at the reality of their lives and imagine a new future—different, yes, but still good—but only if they believe that God is good.
That core belief is the foundation of my own identity. If God is good, then he doesn’t make mistakes. And no experience, however painful or unwelcome, is ever wasted.
In January of 2020, our hearts swelled with the expectation and the joy of the new decade. The energy was palpable! We all felt hopeful and excited, but as one thing after another either got canceled or postponed, we found our spirits plummet.
We didn’t see this coming.
But God did.
And I find comfort now in knowing that I am not and will never be defined by what is, but rather by what could be.
The scariest thing about turning over an unknown future to a known God is that it means I have to give up control. The funny thing is I never actually had any control anyway.
In other words, who I am is not found in where I am but rather in the great I AM.
The future is__________________________.
Want more good stuff?
Here’s a list of books I’ve found helpful in this season:
Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby—My favorite book this year for learning how to discern God’s voice in my life.
Love or Work by Andre and Jeff Shinabarger—Authors ask the question, “Is it possible to work with purpose, stay in love, and raise a healthy family--all at the same time?”
The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip Heath and Dan Heath—These two brothers also wrote Switch and Made to Stick, but I especially loved this one because it made me think about how I can make even the most ordinary things in life feel extra special.
Catching Thoughts by Bonnie Clark—This book was written for kids, but I think the message applies to us grownups too! You know what they say about thoughts:
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”