What do you see for your future?
By Gary Andrews
As many students prepare to graduate from high school, college, or trade schools, they are going to hear many speeches about preparing for their future. People changing jobs, whether it is a promotion or a new vocation, are going to hear, “Are you sure what you are doing is good for the future for you and your family?”
How does anyone know the answers to what our future will be? No one can see into the future and believe 100% they will not fail, even though this is what we all want. We need to remember what we are told in Proverbs 19:21; “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” NIV
I remember seeing a video of a teacher speaking to her class. In her hands she held up a white sheet of paper with a small black dot on it. She then asked her students what they saw. Each one of them answered that they saw a black dot and the teacher said why do you see the dot? They answered that the black dot stood out and could even be an imperfection or a flaw. The teacher then smiled and said not one of you mentioned the white space around the dot. This is how people live by focusing on what stands out or what is wrong in a person. They see imperfection, faults, or scars because they stand out more than their good qualities. The teacher then said there is much more white space on the paper than the black dot. People need to look for the positive qualities in a person instead of their faults. Many times, we look in the mirror and visualize our own imperfections instead of our positive traits. This will determine our success in life.
What about you? Do you see your imperfections more than your possibilities? Do you allow yourself to dwell on what you can’t do instead of what you can do? Are you wrapped up in your failures instead of your accomplishments? Your attitude and outlook on life will help you determine your future!
Do you know Jesus personally? Is your trust in Him? Do you study His Word?
A personal relationship with our Lord and Savior will help decide your future and, in some instances, will lead you in a totally different direction than what the world is telling you or that you want to do. I spent 35 years in the print media business and never once thought about it when I was young and in school.
Accepting Christ into my heart when I was 12 years old was the greatest decision I ever made. It helped me see more of the white space around the dot and look for positive qualities in people and myself. Studying the Bible has given me answers to life’s problems and it will do the same for you. We are told in Philippians 4:13; “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” NKJV
For anyone looking into the future, look to Christ for guidance. He may not give you what you want, however He will give what you need.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving me and leading me through my decisions. Thank you for the life you have allowed me to have. Amen.
(Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday – Romans 12:1-8; Monday – Joshua 1:5-9; Tuesday – Philippians 2:14-16; Wednesday – Psalm 28:6-7; Thursday – Matthew 6:31-34; Friday – Proverbs 18:20-21; Saturday – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.) A658-25
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