You who are avid book readers, let me ask you this question: Have you ever become so engrossed and excited with a book you have begun to read that you can’t wait to see the final outcome, so you sneak a peek at it’s ending?  Wanting to know the future has always fascinated many people. I can’t speak for everyone, but I’m not one of them. I suspect I lost much of this fascination on the day I realized mine was settled when Jesus came into my life. In a nutshell, He is our future. As a stanza from one of my favorite Christian songs says: [“Many things about tomorrow / I don't seem to understand/ But I know who holds tomorrow/ And I know who holds my hand.”] 

       Unfortunately, people generally pay more heed to the past than to the future. In fact, many folks are living in the past and mope because things are not like they once were. Who cares? Because of Christ, our best days are up ahead. Although some folks weep at the loss and disappearance of the “good old days”, I believe reflecting on the past can do more harm than good. And because some people we know are haunted by it, I recently put up this message on our church marquee: “Don’t let your past condemn you. In Christ you have a future. Seek Him today.” I am reminded of an old Christian hymn which says: [“Long ago, long ago / Yes the Old Account was settled long ago / And my record's clear today 'cause He washed my sins away / And The Old Account was settled long ago.”] Because of Christ, the past has absolutely no power over us.

       If we keep our focus on the rear view mirror of our life, very likely we will have an accident. We need to keep our focus on whats up ahead. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul added: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:2) In a graveside service yesterday, I had the opportunity to remind the crowd of Jesus’ words: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21) Apart from our eternal home waiting for us there, many of our treasures, our departed loved ones, are in Heaven now. Should we not, therefore, be dwelling more on our future than on our past?

God’s promise for today: (John 14:2-3) “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”