When we think about the future, we often imagine something entirely new—uncharted territory with unknown outcomes. But the truth is, the best way forward is often shaped by what has already happened. The future doesn’t emerge from nothing; it grows from lessons learned, faith strengthened, and experiences lived.
That’s the heart behind Back to the Future: learning from where we’ve been so we can move wisely and intentionally toward where God is leading us.
Good Success vs. Empty Success
Joshua 1:8 gives a powerful definition of success—one that looks very different from the world’s version:
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night… For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Not all success is good success. It’s possible to achieve much and still miss what truly matters. Accomplishments, influence, or recognition that are disconnected from God’s purpose can quietly become harmful rather than helpful. But Scripture reminds us that good success—the kind that blesses rather than burdens—comes from grounding our lives in God’s Word and living it out daily.
God doesn’t want a future marked by repeated mistakes or shallow victories. He desires growth, maturity, and fruit that lasts.
Remembering the Blessings of the Past
Before looking ahead, it’s important to pause and recognize what God has already done. Reflection fuels faith.
The past year was filled with moments of impact and transformation—lives changed, people stepping forward in faith, and communities touched in meaningful ways. From large outreach events to intimate discipleship settings, from students growing in leadership to families finding connection, each moment served as a reminder that God is always at work through faithful obedience.
Remembering these moments isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about confidence. If God has made a way before, He will do it again—often in even greater ways.
A Hope-Filled Future
Jeremiah 29:11–13 reminds us of God’s posture toward our future:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you… thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
God’s plans are intentional. He invites us to call on Him, seek Him, and trust that when we do, He will respond. The future is not uncertain to God—even when it feels uncertain to us.
But stepping into that future requires two essential commitments: vision and surrender.
Vision: Seeing God Clearly and Purposefully
Vision begins with seeing God for who He truly is.
In Isaiah 6, the prophet describes a season of transition and uncertainty following the death of a king. In that moment, Isaiah didn’t look to politics or people—he looked upward:
“I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.”
When life changes, when leadership shifts, when seasons turn, clarity comes from focusing first on God’s sovereignty, holiness, and authority. A clear vision of God anchors everything else.
But vision doesn’t stop there. Alongside seeing God clearly, we must also ask an honest question: What does God want to do through me?
Vision gives direction. It transforms vague hopes into intentional steps. Writing goals down, measuring progress, and holding ourselves accountable turn good intentions into lived faith.
Goals aren’t just numbers—they represent people, influence, and opportunity. They reflect a desire to make a meaningful difference rather than simply maintain the status quo.
Surrender: The Pathway to True Freedom
Vision shows us where to go. Surrender determines whether we’ll actually get there.
Second Corinthians 3:17 says:
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
When a person begins a relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell fully within them. Not partially. Not gradually. Fully.
The question isn’t whether we have the Spirit—it’s whether the Spirit has us.
Surrender means yielding every area of life: work, family, talents, plans, and ambitions. It’s not loss—it’s freedom. The world promises freedom through control and accumulation, but it ultimately enslaves. God offers freedom through release and trust.
The more we surrender to Him, the freer we become.
Understanding the Timing of the Harvest
One of the most common frustrations in faith is timing. We sow faithfully and expect immediate results—but growth doesn’t always follow our calendar.
Different seeds produce different harvests, and they mature at different times. The delay doesn’t mean failure; it means patience is required. God controls the harvest, and He brings it at exactly the right moment.
The call is simple: keep planting.
One Plan Is Enough
Here’s a truth worth embracing fully: you don’t need a Plan B.
When it comes to following God’s vision and surrendering your life to Him, half-commitment only weakens resolve. Divided loyalty dilutes impact. Plan A—fully trusting God and giving Him everything—is sufficient.
That doesn’t mean life will be easy. Challenges will come. Growth often requires pressure. But abandoning Plan A is never the answer.
Stay all in.
Looking Ahead With Confidence
The future isn’t something to fear—it’s something to prepare for. With vision rooted in who God is and surrender grounded in trust, the path forward becomes clear.
Learn from the past. Celebrate what God has done. But don’t live there.
Step forward with purpose, faith, and confidence—believing that the same God who carried you through yesterday is already waiting for you in tomorrow.
That’s the future worth pursuing.
