It is fun to look back now and then at past events and accomplishments. Some of the things I did as a child make me smile. The memories are pleasant and wonderful, whereas, others are a bit gloomy and even painful. If I could change the hard times I would, but I can’t—the past is the past.
It’s good to see and recognize how far God has brought us and to where He is leading. I believe it can be unhealthy to continually spend time looking back. People that fall in this category struggle in the now, especially if the focus of recall is on negative experiences. Bad memories can steal joy and precious moments from today. It is important to establish quality memories each day, which allow the enjoyment of looking back tomorrow.
Frequently looking back, living in the past, is like driving down the road peering into the rear view mirror; seeing only where we’ve been rather than enjoying the trip ahead. There are people that do this and wonder why they live a life of dissatisfaction.
Living in memories of years past leaves little room to enjoy the present. The “should-a/would-a” is just that, the unfulfilled “could-a” of yesterday. We cannot change the past, but we can learn by past experiences. It’s called 20/20 hindsight. I believe that God gave us a memory to produce positive changes today through yesterday’s lessons.
Looking back can be good to a point, but to live in past memories can stifle one’s enthusiasm for new experiences today. Creating new memories in the present gives life its fervor and luster tomorrow.
Dwelling upon the “should-a/would-a” brings despair and fear to venture out today in areas that will enlighten us tomorrow. False comfort is found in the world of lonely memories. They can cut us off from friends and family members, because of the choice to live in the past. Choosing yesterday over today becomes a way of life that smothers productivity. In addition to this, it gives that closed-in feeling.
The world of memories often becomes a safe place to dwell in one’s mind, yet uneventful and sometimes lonely. Little is given and nothing is received except the same old, stale memories that were experienced years ago.
Half the joy of living is giving to others. To receive we must first give. If the phone seldom rings and people never drop by for a visit, it may be a sign that something is wrong; not with them, but with us. Are we removing ourselves more and more each day from a one on one exposure with people, because of inner inhabitations that are sucking the very life from within us?
(Luke 6:38), “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Living in past memories can become an endless cycle of repeat performances like old, movie reruns that fail to keep our attention and the interest of others. Each time the memory is replayed; a shrinking feeling persists, which pulls us deeper and deeper inward and shoves people farther and farther away.
Memories then become the only means of escaping the four walls around us, which inevitably includes the bad memories as well. The lifeline to reality—experiences around us—become harder and harder to grasp with a firm hold.
It develops into an easier way of living, with less responsibility, than trying to expand toward new horizons in God. Accepting the status quo of what is or what was, fails to generate creativity. It takes discipline to look forward, thus, opening oneself to the imperfections of others.
When we learn how to accept the shortcomings in people, we discover how to accept our own inadequacies and failures. It is a whole new way of living, which is attainable through Christ. We need only to want it bad enough to do something about it.
(Philippians 4:13), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Good memories are wonderful, especially family activities and remembering God’s blessings, but making new memories today is the key to fresh tomorrows. Stagnated, old memories of years gone may be fine to a point and certainly needed at times, but wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to family members or grandchildren for them to listen to new memories other than the ones they’ve heard a hundred times before?
I believe our relationship with God the Father provides luster and excitement as we endeavor to create new experiences, involving Him each day. As we see God answer prayers on a daily basis, and He uses us to bless others with a deeper understanding of the Bible, these efforts build enthusiasm and abundance in living. Our excitement causes others to want what we have—to know more about the Lord. We must be in the now with new experiences each day to be a successful witness for Jesus.
When we give freshness and the purity of God’s love away from ourselves, hungry souls want to be in our presence, because the memories we share are current, fresh, and alive. We cease to be an uncaring, down in the dumps kind of person that people don’t want to be around.
The old, worn out memories have been replaced with interesting, helpful ones. No longer do we see the need to escape today by holding on to yesteryear’s memories. There is now a desire to make new, delightful memories today for tomorrow.
Looking through the windshield of life; enjoying every second of every day is time well spent. We understand what the scripture is saying when it tells us that all things have become new in Christ Jesus.
(2 Corinthians ), “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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