Great Scott & the Gospel: A Reflection on Back to the Future

Focus Scripture

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." – Hebrews 13:8

Thoughts

Recently, I participated in a Back to the Future-themed skit. I know—time travel, neon jacket, and Doc's white jacket don’t exactly scream “Sunday School.” But somewhere between the flux capacitor, the DeLorean and Doc Brown’s overcaffeinated energy, I found myself learning a profound spiritual truth.

Let me tell you—there’s nothing quite like trying to think about biblical truth while taking a picture behind a cardboard cutout of a DeLorean. It was hilarious, chaotic, and unexpectedly deep.

As I videoed the skit of my team, I reminisced about the movie.

As soon as Doc Brown shouted, “Great Scott!” and took off in that nuclear-powered DeLorean, I knew I was in for a ride. There’s time travel, teenage awkwardness, skateboards, a shocking amount of plutonium, and the most confident hair in cinematic history (looking at you, 1955 Biff). But somewhere between the flux capacitor and that Enchantment Under the Sea dance, I found myself face to face with a surprising thought. We’re all-time travelers.

No, not in a DeLorean (sadly). But mentally, emotionally, spiritually—we bounce around past mistakes, future anxieties, and present distractions like we’ve got Doc Brown on speed dial. And that’s where the Gospel drops in like lightning hitting a clock tower.

"God Is Not Confused by Your Timeline."

Marty McFly spends the whole movie trying to fix the past to protect the future. And let’s be honest—so do we. We replay conversations we should’ve handled better. We dread things we haven’t even done yet. We try to "correct" God's plan like we accidentally set it to the wrong year.

But Hebrews 13:8 smashes through all that with the simplicity of a bold, divine truth: Jesus isn’t subject to time.

He was there at the beginning (John 1:1), He's present now (Matthew 28:20), and He's already waiting for us in the future (Revelation 22:13). You’re never behind schedule with God. Your delays, detours, and even your Doc Brown-level disasters don’t throw Him off. He’s not saying “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” He’s saying, “Where you’re going, I’ve already made a way.” (Isaiah 43:19)

Life Application

Stop Trying to Fix the Timeline—Follow the One Who Owns It!

You don’t need a DeLorean to go back and make things right. You need a Savior who redeems the broken things. Instead of obsessing over your "1985 mistakes," surrender them.

Instead of fearing your "2015 future," trust Him with it.

Marty changed the past and ended up with a better life. But Jesus doesn’t change your past—He redeems it. He doesn’t give you a shinier car or a better house. He gives you peace in the now. And let me tell you, peace beats plutonium any day.

So here’s your reminder, time traveler: You don’t need to go back to the future. You need to stay present with Jesus because He’s already waiting for you in every tomorrow.

And maybe—just maybe—your destiny isn’t about fixing the past… It’s about trusting the One who holds your future.

Closing Prayer

"Lord, You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank You that I don’t need a time machine to be whole—I just need You. Help me stop trying to rewrite my past or control my future. Teach me to live in the present with faith, trusting that You hold all of time in Your hands. And if You ever do decide to invent a time-traveling DeLorean…I pray You’ll let me ride shotgun. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

Doc and Marty in Back to the Future