The Gift of Your Future

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Years ago, the scripture above was one that I committed to memory. It was called an “assurance verse.” How so? It assures us of the fact in the Gospel that we are made new in Christ. It means our past is over and done with, and we are no longer accountable. The present is now fresh with a new beginning. Our future is now secure, planned out by God, and no longer a random possibility with what happens. Best of all, we no longer have to worry about our eternal future. We are secure in Christ. This is what the above verse means. While many agree with the theology of these things, do we believe them and take them to heart? If we do, there will be a great benefit.

If we believe these things and practice having a perspective that these facts are true, we can have peace with living our life. Do you believe these things I speak of? Do you really believe it and live with the perspective that Christ holds your life and every minute of each day safe in His care? If you do believe and practice these things, then there will be a “fruit” that will show up. It will be the fruit of peace. But the bitter fruit of fear, dread, and anxiety will also show up if you do not practice what you believe to be true.

My challenge to you is to assess where you are with life. What do you see? What do you feel? Only you need to know the answer. However, you must know the truth about yourself, for God wants to return to you the very thing you are longing for: peace. But it will require a gift from you to Jesus first.

We consistently see the fear men have to abandon their life to Christ. They, in some way, want to hold on to their future by trying to control it. But really, how much control do we have over our future? I know what God has shown me through bitter experiences with my inability to control my future. For me, it was like trying to teach a pig to sing. It wasted time and frustrated the pig (me). It seems that the Lord placed obstacles in the way of my plans so that I could grasp that I gain only an illusion of security. I believe it is because He wants me to give up this illusion of being in control of my future so I can be assured that He has it under His control.

Today I ask you to give a gift to Jesus. Today, why don’t you give up on your illusion of control and instead give Him control of your life? Put your future and all it represents into a Christmas box (in your mind) and lay it before His throne, and walk away. Allow Jesus to take on that burden He has never asked you to carry. But before you leave, don’t forget His gift to you. There is a gift exchange, you know? He has a gift made out for you. It is a promise to you that says these words:

“Son, concerning your future? Trust Me. I’ve got it!” - Jesus