Does the thought of the future scare you? For myself, it’s terrifying. It’s that image, off in the distance, that you can’t wait to reach when it’s far, but the closer you get the more you just want to turn around and walk back. It’s that confusing concept, trapping your mind between what you shoud want and what you actually do.
True, it’s possible to be absolutely excited for your future, and yes it’s ok. I know I’ve stayed up until 2 in the morning the last couple of nights picking out what I wanted in the dorm room. My day dreams have been focused on thoughts of college life- sitting up talking to my room mate, playing softball with my friends, music classes and so on and so forth. But there’s a difference between wanting an event in the future to happen and wanting the future to happen.
Many seniors are saying “I can’t wait to finally get to live out my future.” “I can’t wait to just move on with life.” But moving on with life means life is moving on. The future doesn’t stop at college or at your future family. The future goes on as long as you do.
It’s a hard concept. It’s still got me pretty puzzled. But I do know a few things, one being that the future will never happen. You will never experience the future, you will only live the present. The future is a dream. It’s a thought. It’s one of those thoughts that may come true, and does come true often. But it’s a thought.
When you’re caught in the future, you miss the present. Why ignore what is happening now for what could or could not happen tomorrow? The only future we should be concerned with is our lives with Jesus. I know, it’s preachy sounding. I can’t help it. Because I know that while people around me are talking about what they want for their future, I have the one goal that will come true: a life in heaven. I don’t have to worry about my future because I already have one that’s absolutely perfect, and that’s good enough for me.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting something for your life. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming about having those 2.5 kids and wanting a knight in shining armour and wanting to be successful at whatever I do. I don’t plan on sitting around letting life happen with no work. Because God also says do EVERYTHING in life like you are doing it for Him. So yes, I do want to create a happy family and a successful career. But I won’t sit around thinking of how my future will bring anything better in my life. If I am doing what God says and I am working to my full ability in all aspects of life, I have the perfect present, and God has guarenteed the perfect future in Jesus Christ. So I won’t stress. I will work hard and know that the path of faith I am walking leads to my only real future.
“Don't worry, darlin'. No baby, don't you fret. We're livin' in the future and none of this has happened yet…” –Bruce Springsteen
