best-selling author, John Maxwell, tells of a small town in Maine that was a proposed site for a large hydro-electric plant. In building the hydro-electric plant, a dam would be built across the river and the town would eventually be submerged.

When the project was announced, they gave the citizens months to arrange for their future affairs; buying a new home, packing, moving, etc. However, during those months given to prepare, an interesting series of events took place.

During those preparation months, all improvements in the city stopped. They made no repairs to any buildings, roads, or sidewalks. They did no painting in the town. Every day, the town was looking more run down. Even though it was many months before the town would shut down, it was already looking abandoned.

Seeing the town, one citizen proclaimed, “Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present.” Or, as Solomon would say, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” (Proverbs 29.18; KJV)

As Christians, we know we will leave this world to move on to a greater hope. (Romans 15.13) We should look forward to our new life, lest we fall into a life of no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4.13-18). The future of Christians is bright as we look to the future (2 Timothy 4.8).

Are you looking forward to the future? Let us focus on the temporary, but let our minds be on the things above. (Colossians 3.2; 2 Corinthians 4.16-18)

Just a thought,

(Source: Morgan, R. J. (2000). Nelson’s complete book of stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic ed., pp. 448–449). Thomas Nelson Publishers.)