The future is here

Do the names Alvin Toffler and John Naisbitt sound familiar? What about Faith Popcorn? I remember spending a lot of money going to Singapore to attend her seminar many years ago.

These are names not just of bestselling authors; these are names of people considered “futurists.” They have predicted what it would be like living in the 21st century. Because of them, I had been looking forward to the 21st century.
Guess what? Their predictions have come true! Just a few years ago, I told my audiences to watch out for two terms they’ll soon be hearing:

1.Mobile computing.

2. Cloud.

Today, these two terms are a part of our everyday vocabulary, because we use these things every day.

The future is here. And change just keeps on accelerating.

Today’s technological developments, growth of markets, pervasiveness of social network platforms and being ubiquitous online make me remember Moore’s Law.

Moore’s Law, a rule of thumb for technological progress coined in 1965 by Intel co-founder Gordon E. Moore, says that computer-processing speeds would double up about every two years. Look at where we started, and look at where we’re at today.

I remember listening a couple of years ago to a “celebrity executive” from one of the top three mobile phone companies telling us, in no uncertain terms, that the day will come when you and I will be in an “Always-On” mode. That day has come. The question today isn’t even whether we’re online or not; the question today is, how fast is our connection? These days, we all want more powerful computing power, because we want faster transactions.

The future we used to just talk about is already here. I see many businesses in trouble; disruptive technology is wiping out even entire industries. And I still see many helpless people still clinging on to their tenure and years of service as their source of job security. On the other hand, I also see start-ups doing very well. I see younger and younger entrepreneurs making money even before they receive their college diploma.

The future is here. And I’m excited because I’ve decided a long time ago to be a continuous learner. I’m excited because I see my kids all grown up, working on their own businesses, because I’ve allowed them the liberty to choose their own dreams and supported their respective pursuits.

The future is here. I see cheaters in business down in despondency today. And I see honest, humble and hardworking people enjoying the fruit of their labor, and living in comfort and joy today. I know of atheists and agnostics who have given their lives to Christ today. And I know of people who have turned away from their faith and calling to embrace the values of the world today.

There’s really nothing new under the sun; only old things happening to new people.

The important thing to consider is this: have we lived our lives with meaning and purpose? Have we become better in our attitude and character?

We can’t really see the whole future landscape. You and I are going to be immigrants in that land. But when we hold on to time-tested biblical values, then we’re poised to succeed in the long run. I’ve read the Scriptures from beginning to end many times and in so many years. And I’ve seen this truth – that for Jesus’ followers and believers, all turns out all right every time!

(Tickets are going out fast for Francis Kong’s highly acclaimed whole-day seminar “Culture of Personal Excellence” on Oct.17, 2013 at CCF Makati, A-Venue Mall, Makati Avenue. For further inquiries, contact Inspire at 09158055910, or call 632-6310912 for details.)