Ahead

There are some people who really aren’t keen to recount significant episodes in their past.

They don’t like nostalgia, their favourite subject was never history and the moment anyone starts singing ‘Those Were The Days’, they run for cover.

There is no time to look back on what happened, there is only going forwards.

I can understand that thinking. There are some approaches to what happened before that turns the past into a prison of the present. It’s as though nothing will ever be as good as it was yesterday and yesteryear. The more time passes the greater the recollection of how things were in comparison to how things are which, for some, does not bode well for what will be.

That’s hardly a healthy way to make the most of the now.

One of the reasons, why I enjoy occasionally considering what has been, however, is because of the lessons to be learnt and the glow they can shine on the present that reminds us that our eyes should ever be looking ahead. Not looking ahead in ignorance, but using the best of the experiences to ever be looking ahead.

There is enough in what happened to encourage me that there are brighter days ahead. That’s not because I subscribe to a thought that says that there is an inevitable evolutionary ladder we are ever climbing. That’s not because I think that humanity is more civilised and advanced than its ever been.

I believe there are brighter days ahead because of the one I look ahead to. The one who hold out a helping hand and whilst not promising a pain-free, sweat-free and trouble-free existence, He does promise protection and peace and the power to persevere.

Looking ahead I see He refers back to His example of enduring suffering and overcoming. I see Him referring to how He looked ahead and was able to keep going because of the prize ahead.

So I look back on that example and I see footsteps of that throughout history. He encourages me to keep looking today to follow the footprints with the moves I make in the day. As I follow those steps, He is ever leading me and telling me to look ahead.

I look ahead and what do I see? I see the Master calling me.

There is something so thrilling about the call that I want to share with you why it is that way. For more on that you’ll just have to see what’s ahead …

(Photo by Roman Klimenko on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden