Have you been your own fortune teller?
Maybe you wouldn’t think of it in those terms, but many of us are inclined to prophesying our own future. This isn’t a special ability given from God, not even momentary enlightenment. But you just know. In your mind it can only go one way from here. It has a settled end.
Ironically enough, though you are the one making this future prediction, it never seems to be in your favour. The end result actually might be one you fear or dread. But to your credit, the prophetic inclination often proves to be true. Why?
You’ve just made your own self-fulfilling prophecy.
THE POWER OF SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY
Maybe it’s an apparent lack of progress in spiritual maturity.
Maybe it’s that ongoing relationship tension.
Maybe it’s that nagging fear that has clung on for years.
Whatever it may be, the temptation is to view change as unlikely; the glass is half-empty and will forever be half-empty. You’ve made the transition from feeling helpless … to hopeless.
Hopelessness is the secret power to self-fulfilling prophecy. Though a crew could expertly maneuver a mighty ship around the eye of a storm to find more pleasant waters, disheartened sailors will inevitably loosen their grip on the ropes. Like storm-tossed sailors, we can find our present circumstances bleak, lose any hope for things to change, which inevitably guarantees that things won’t. The prediction of floundering usually results in floundering.
THE POWER OF GOD’S PROMISE
What hope is to be found for floundering voyagers like you and me? In the midst of our murky future predictions shines a bright light that overcomes our fears. The darkness of our pessimism can be overcome by the in breaking of the dawn of gospel grace.
Jesus Christ has come into our world in order to reorient our self-destructive trajectory to being redeemed by a loving God. His cross death and triumphal resurrection from the dead have made a way for us to experience the greatest possible change. The Bible speaks of the human heart being like stone (Ez. 36:26), naturally cold, impenetrable, and hardened towards God and others. But by divine grace, cold hearts are warmed to trust in Jesus Christ to deliver us from the destruction of hell we were destined for. This change of heart causes us to have hope, where before we were hopeless.
This means that despite our pessimistic predictions, God is working a kind of holy progression in us and through us. There can be hope-filled progression in your life, because Jesus’ cross work has secured the basis of hope in your salvation.
A great reminder of this holy, hope-filled progression is found in this biblical promise:
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6)
Though not a promise for prosperity, this is a promise of gospel grace that shines into darkest crevices of our frustrations, turmoil, backslidings, fears of the future, unbelief, and temptations.
Jesus came to shine as a bright light for all – giving life and all vitality. Because you are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), there is what one theologian called an “expulsive power of a new affection”. The future is bright, because God is graciously working new desires for good works in and through you. God is working to change you, which in turn will dramatically affect the way things are around you.
This changes a person from problem child to peacemaker, from stick in the mud to taking up one’s cross, from constant despair to joyful maturity.
When you are tempted to make another hopeless self-fulfilling prophecy as the harbinger of doom, look to Jesus Christ who is the hope of the nations.
Steady on, sailor. Lift up your sails of faith, hold tightly onto the rope of God’s promises, and watch how your ship turns in a new direction.
Jared Harfield's Blog 