Future: Hello my name is Future, what’s up Present? I know you haven’t met me yet, but I’m pretty awesome if I do say so myself. Sorry to intrude in your life and all, but I couldn’t help myself. You see… I’m not sure how much you know about me, but to make things easier, I am you, but I have already been here before, right where you are now…
Present: It sucks right?
Future: (laughs) That’s what I thought too.
Present: I mean, things aren’t that bad, they’re just not exactly how I want them to be. (Pause) Like, I know that I’m destined for greatness and that God has this amazing plan for my life but at the moment I can’t see how it’s going to happen.
Future: Yep, I know how you feel, and I want to help you a little bit, but before I carry on I want to introduce you to our old friend Past.
Present: Hey Past, long time.
Past: You always say that, I know you all too well Present, you always like to be ‘in the moment’ … whatever that means.
*Present gives Past a fake smile*
Future: Anyway… how’s it going?
Past: Well you know, same old, nothing that hasn’t happened before.
Future: I and Present were just talking about life and God’s plan.
Past: Ah! That explains why Present is in a mood. You’re forever failing to see the good in a situation or how much power you have.
Present: Excuse me?!
Past: You fail to see how fortunate you are, if you don’t like something you can change it. If you want something just go and get it.
Present: It’s easier said than done mate.
Past: At least it can be done. My life is set in stone, it is what it is, and Future’s life is based on the decisions that you make today. I can’t control the course of my life, once upon a time you decided that for me. Now I’m stuck with those decisions; good and bad.
Present: You don’t know how it feels to be me, the uncertainty I have to live with, not knowing what lies a head, not knowing my future.
Past: This is what I don’t understand about you! You always want Future when Future is in the Future… well a part from today of course, but I’m always with you! It seems like you couldn’t care less, you’ll trade me instantly for Future. This is why you’re never content. You keep forgetting about me.
Present: But you’re yesterday’s news, been there done that. I don’t want to dwell in the past.
Past: No one told you to, that’s my job, all I’m saying is don’t forget about me, learn from me, seek wisdom from me. Do not forget where you came from and what the Lord has done for you and those before you. Why do you think the Lord calls Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? He is a God of generations. The same yesterday, today and forever. If He did it before He can do it again. The Bible, being the oldest book with the latest news, is God’s past, but still His present and future.
Present: But God is perfect, some of my past is best forgotten.
Future: Erm … I kind of have to disagree with you there. Sometimes the past can reveal something significant about your future. Correct me if I’m wrong Past, but there was a time in primary school where Present, you were being bullied, which lead you to start an anti-bullying campaign in secondary school because you saw that people were still being bullied. So many people have benefited from that, both while you were there and countless people in the Present since the years you left. Although the past can be painful, all things work out for good, for those who love the Lord. The past can fuel your passions for the future. There is something powerful about empathy, not just feeling sorry for someone, but truly understanding them and their situation.
Past: Mmh that’s true, that’s what makes Jesus so amazing, Hebrews 4:15 says:
* “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.”
I love the end, “yet He did not sin!” He knows exactly what you’re going through now, the hardships, the temptation, but He remained blameless because He was yielded to the Father! If Jesus did sin He would not have been able to say “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Enabling Paul to say:
* “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me”. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Future: Wow … Jesus man. To go back to what I was saying before, I believe you should come to peace with Past, don’t forget him. I even believe that if you look closely at Past, your character, interests, and so on, you may see glimpses of me, Future. There was good in Past, even in the bad there was still good that came out of it.
Present: True …
Future: It says in Jeremiah 29:11:
* “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Trust me when I say He has! And it reminds me of Job 8:7:
* “Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be” (NIV), another version says “And though you started with little, you will end with much.” (NLT)
Past: Listen, I know we’ve had a rocky relationship, but just know that I’m always here for you, Okay?
*Present smiles at Past*
Future: Aww, this is what I like to see.
Present: Erm … you knew this was going to happen…
Future: Yeah, but I still like to … Present don’t start before we have a problem.
*They all laugh*
Past: Present your phone is ringing.
Present: Ooo, I have to go guys!
Past: Why?
Present and Future: Destiny is calling!
*Present and Future start bickering*
Present: Don’t ever do that again.
Future: One minute you want to be me and the next you don’t, make up your mind!
*Conversation fades*
