Tomorrowland: Looking Ahead to a New Year

Walt Disney said in 1966, “Now, when we opened Disneyland, outer space was Buck Rogers. I did put in a trip to the moon, and I got Wernher von Braun to help me plan the thing. And, of course, we were going up to the moon long before Sputnik. And since then has come Sputnik and then has come our great program in outer space. So I had to tear down my Tomorrowland that I built eleven years ago and rebuild it to keep pace.” That rebuild was completed in 1967, almost seven months after Walt’s death.

It began to gradually change in 1973, then got another complete makeover in 1998 (arguably much less successfully than the 1967 rebuild). Another gradual change has only recently been completed.

When it came to Tomorrowland, Walt had to keep looking ahead. He had to keep reimagining it. He also said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” Tomorrowland was designed to be all about “keep moving forward”.

The new year gives us a chance to remember that, but so does every day, if we choose to think about it. After all, the whole year isn’t promised to us. In fact, not even tomorrow is promised to us.

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.”
James 4:13-16 (NIV)

That’s not a reason not to plan for the future. But it is a reminder that our days are a gift from God, so we take nothing for granted. Keep moving forward (intentionally). Plan ahead. That is not ungodly. Maybe the clearest reminder of that in Scripture is this:

“Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.”
Prov. 6:6-8 (NIV)

We’ll look more at planning ahead and setting goals in an upcoming post. For now, remember Tomorrowland, a world on the move. The Imagineers have continued to update it as we move into the future. They keep moving forward. And so do we. But at the same time, we remember that each day is a gift.

As we close out 2011 and begin 2012 (if it is the Lord’s will), keep moving forward. Perhaps you will follow a new path, or you may move farther along this one. Live each day to its fullest, because it may be the last one you have. If it is, it will be a day well-lived, loving God and serving others. If you have another beyond today, then continue to grow and live intentionally for God. In this way, you honor Him, and grow into the person He made you—and is making you—to be.

Question: What is one way that you can move forward today? Talk about it in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.