In medieval times, people used to add illustrations of dragons or sea monsters or other mythological creatures on uncharted areas of maps where potential dangers were thought to exist.

In the British Museum in London there’s an old mariner’s chart, drawn in 1525, which outlines the North American coastline. The man who drew the map added comments on areas of the map that represented regions that had not yet been explored; comments like: “Here be giants,” “Here be fiery scorpions,” and “Here be dragons.”

In the early 1800s, the map came into the possession of a British explorer called Sir John Franklin.  He scratched out the fearful inscriptions, and instead wrote across the map: “Here is God.”

I suspect that one or two of you may be viewing the future like that – Here be dragons.  That’s how you have a tendency to view change and uncertainty in life in general.

But Franklin is absolutely right; wherever you look – around you, behind you – even in the future that you can’t make out – Here is God.  

And actually, even if there be giants, fiery scorpions or dragons ahead – it doesn’t really matter – because here is God as well and he is bigger than, and in control, of every giant, scorpion or dragon you will ever encounter.

Take heed of these wise words from Corrie Ten Boom: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God”.

Or even better, the inspired words of David:

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your right hand shall cover me, and the light about me be night. (Psalm 139:9-10)