Former England rugby star Lewis Moody was interviewed about his MND (Motor Neurone Disease) diagnosis, and he said, “I don’t dwell on the future.” It was his positive way of dealing with a tragically bleak future. MND is a dreadful progressive disease with (as yet) no cure.
A friend of mine was falsely accused of money laundering. Since then he has attempted suicide twice, and has severe mental health problems. He often says that he dares not hope for anything in the future because he could not cope if it did not materialise.
There have been times in my life when I felt that I could not bear to think about the way things might pan out, so I can – to a certain extent – understand these reactions. But what is even more tragic is that my friend has no time for religion, and so does not have the comfort of believing and trusting in the one true God of the Bible.
We cannot often predict what is ahead of us in our lives, and in some respects this is a good thing. In contrast, Jesus knew – probably from an early age – his destiny. It was foretold in the prophecies of the Old Testament. He knew how he would be betrayed and suffer the agony of death by crucifixion, thereby offering sinful humanity salvation from permanent death. Jesus told his disciples about this several times. While this sort of knowledge might be ‘too much’ for us, Jesus faced it resolutely (Luke 9:21-22; Matthew 16:21; John 18:4). And the Bible tells us how:
‘Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God’ (Hebrews 12:2).
Jesus’ immediate future was dreadful, but he could see the ‘joy’ of being resurrected, raised to immortal glory, saving many people, and eventually ruling God’s Kingdom on earth.
His followers can face life’s problems in a similar way. The apostle Paul wrote the following words in a time when Christians were being persecuted for their faith:
‘If in Christ we have hopein this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied’ (1 Corinthians 15:19).
And:
‘If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory’ (Colossians 3:1-4).
True believers try to focus on the Kingdom of God, and not just on this present life.
This life can be hard – very hard. But the Gospel offers peace of mind now, together with the most wonderful and sure hope for the future.
‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope’ (Romans 15:13).
Lewis Moody has overcome many hurdles in his life. I wish him all the best in finding the fortitude to face this new challenge. Even more, I wish that everyone reading this – and more people besides – had a firm commitment to God and His plan for this earth. For embracing and dwelling on that divinely guaranteed future can sustain faithful believers through every current trauma.
Anna Hart
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