I love reading biographies. My favorites are of thinkers… doers… people that overcame the odds and reached the potential for which they were created. One of my favorites is the story of Walt Disney.
He was a remarkable man of vision. He never gave up. Early in his career a newspaper fired him because they thought he had "no good ideas". That just made Disney try harder. When he was starting out in Kansas City he couldn't sell his cartoons. Some hinted that he had no talent but Walt Disney had a dream so he set out to conquer his foes. He found a minister who paid him a small amount to draw advertising pictures for his church. Disney had no place to stay, so that the church let him sleep in the mouse-infested garage. One of those mice which Disney nicknamed Mickey, became famous -- as the world knows.
When Walt Disney World in Orlando ,FL. opened in 1971, Mrs. Disney was sitting beside Walter Cronkite. Walt Disney has passed away several years earlier. Walter Cronkite wanted to say just the right thing to Mrs. Disney, so he leaned over to her and said, "Wouldn't it be great if Walt were here to see this today." Mrs. Disney wisely replied, "If Walt had not first seen this you would not be seeing it today."
Years before the final brick was put into place... Walt Disney saw the finished product of Disney World in his mind. He could mentally walk its streets...hear the sounds of children running to the next attraction... smell the popcorn on Main Street.
When workers wondered if it could be done, Mr. Disney reassured them that it could. If people doubted the layout, Walt reassured them it would be the best way to do it. How could he be so confident? Why didn’t he worry? Because he knew what was coming. He was convinced of what would be.
He saw ahead of those that couldn’t see it.
So often we worry. We fret... become dismayed... feel crushed by the weight of something that has hit our lives with the force of a freight train. Our reaction typically ranges from tears to tempers... drifting between a feeling of abandonment to agony. We begin to ask the same questions we’ve asked hundreds of times before...
What if?
When will..?
Who can?
Why try?
Which direction...?
We get scared because we can’t see what’s coming. We get frustrated because we can’t control the outcome. We get depressed because we think we’re being paid back for some past failure. It gets dark and in those shadows we allow the faceless voice of the devil to challenge us with his lies.
We must know the truth.
God doesn’t worry. He doesn’t wonder if you’ll make it through or if you’ll have enough.
He doesn’t wring His beautiful nail-scarred hands in heaven and doubt your success.
Why? Because He knows what’s coming. In fact, He’s prepared to lead you there.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” Jeremiah 29:11
“And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” Matthew 6:30
“So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:31-33
God not only loves and cares for you... He knows what is coming in your life and is preparing your heart for it.
Your trials? Strengthening exercises.
Your doubts? Chances to fortify your faith.
Maybe you can’t see what’s coming in your life like Walt Disney could in his park... but be assured that if you have Jesus Christ as Lord of your life, you don’t have to worry. God stands at the finish line of the road you’re on.
He’s holding out His hands... waving at you with a message...
Keep moving forward and trust Me. I know what’s coming.
And you’ll be ok.
