How To Make The Future A Scary Place

Do you remember that song from the late ’80’s by Timbuk 3?

It went something like this…

I study nuclear science.

I love my classes.

I got a crazy teacher, he wears dark glasses.

Things are going great, and they’re only getting better.

I’m doing all right, getting good grades.

The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.

When the Israelites were on the verge of something new (entering the promised land), 12 spies were sent out to explore the land and bring back a report.

God had promised them this territory (which is why it was called “the promised land”).

It was an abundant place, a land “flowing with milk and honey.”

When the spies brought back their report, only 2 of them were singing like Timbuk 3 — the future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.

Joshua and Caleb said things like…

“Let’s go—we can do it”

“God will lead us into that land.”

“He will give it to us.”

“God is on our side, don’t be afraid.”

The other 10 spies brought back a fearful, negative report…

“We can’t.”

“It’s a land that swallows people whole.”

“Everybody we saw was huge—we even saw giants,”

“We felt like grasshoppers there.”

When you compare the statements of the spies, you will notice something:

Joshua and Caleb emphasized God and His ability.

The other 10 spies emphasized their inability and magnified the strength of the enemy.

They took God out of the equation. For them, the future was all about their abilities -vs- the obstacles.

And that, my friends, is exactly how to make the future a scary place.

Focusing on yourself + focusing on the obstacles = freaking out.

For a bright future, keep God at the center of it all.

He’s not just the God of yesterday—he’s the God of today and the God of tomorrow!

There is no reason for the future to be a scary place.

Our weaknesses aren’t the issue and the size of the challenges aren’t the issue.

The fact that God is with us and for us is the issue.

Our best days are still before us.

The best is yet to come.

Like Caleb, I’m saying: “Let’s go—we can do this.”