The past is sometimes seen as a comfort to some. A place of refuge when bombarded with the issues and challenges of the present.
The purpose of the past, however, is to provide an insight that can support the present, that can inform the present, that can inspire the present and that can give wisdom for the present. it’s not something to be idolised or to pine over as though it’s perfection.
Remembering yesterday can help today.
Remembering the time before meeting Jesus. Feeling it was largely nothing of importance and thinking that things were in hand. Although there were those moments of doubt and fear that crept in that maybe self-delusion was taking place. Maybe nothing was ever going to be of value in the end because of death. But pushing those thoughts to the side with activity after activity and the pursuit of pleasure wherever possible. Memories of how those pursuits did prove to ultimately be frustrating, never deeply satisfying and only ever highlighting an emptiness within. But still persisting with the norm to keep up with everyone else and put a happy face on it with leisure and entertainment.
Remembering the first time the gospel made sense and among everything else in terms of sin and the need to repent and all of that, was the introduction to Jesus. Recounting those exciting days of knowing Jesus initially. Receiving the good news of Him, getting to know Him as far more than somebody that’s talked about or something in a book. Growing to understand just how awesome He is in all the ways He is expressed.
Remembering those errors, those times of straying from Him and seeking to rekindle a buzz from before that was never going to satisfy the way that Jesus clearly did. Coming to those points of being on the knees and crying for forgiveness and strength to resist temptation the next time. Recalling those harsh words said in haste to someone who was supposed to be a brother in the faith. Going through once more people who didn’t return phone calls and texts. Re-living those lonely hours and the nagging questions and doubts of His presence.
Remembering His faithfulness and patience. His correction and discipline. His protection and provision. His expressed love through people – friends, family as well as enemies and complete strangers – all deepening a desire to know Jesus and follow Him, doing what pleases Him. His mercy over the precarious moments when things could have ended up very badly indeed. Re-enacting in the mind’s eye those precious moments of bliss in fellowship, being encouraged by the insights and inputs of others saints and witnessing them likewise be built in the faith as prayers were answered and scripture gave new light to just how great Jesus is.
Remembering these things all centred on the reality and goodness of God and the honour it is to be used by Him and to reflect His Son in service, in relationship and in example.
Those things are not to dwell on as if they’re a golden age never to be seen again. Rememberiing those times is not even there to try and revive them again Remembering them is to elicit gratitude to a great and glorious God who clearly is able to finish what He started in you. That is enough to be travelling today, following Jesus and brining honour to His name. Just for today.
(Photo by sarandy westfall on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 