Time for Looking Back – and Looking Ahead

At this time of the year, as organizers are warming up the giant ball to drop on New Year’s Eve in Times Square, a lot of thoughts pass through our minds. For instance, I wonder about how long it will take for me to forget it’s 2024 and out of habit write 2023 again. We wonder how soon we should put up the Christmas decorations. Some of you have already done so – no sooner are the gifts unwrapped than folks start undecorating the tree.

Then there are more consequential thoughts. We assess the year nearly past, sometimes wistfully, sometimes fondly, and sometimes regretfully. Perhaps over the course of the year we’ve lost loved ones or dear friends, and they’ll be greatly missed in the new year. We happily review photos from vacations and travels, maybe even wishing we could revisit them. And we might conjure up some bad moments we’d like to erase from memory, our own and of those who were involved. Unfortunately, we can’t.

 

At such times it’s important to remember as someone has said, “Yesterday is a canceled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is cash in hand.” What’s done is done, and it can’t be undone. We can learn from it. If necessary, we can offer apologies and seek forgiveness. And we can resolve to do better in the days to come.

 

The apostle Paul, I believe, had the proper perspective on this. After briefly reviewing some of his earthly accomplishments, he declared, “But whatever is to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” (Philippians 3:7-8). In addition to his achievements, Paul had much for which to feel remorse, most notably having persecuted followers of the same Savior and Lord he had encountered and was boldly following himself.

 

I don’t think they had rear-view mirrors in those days, but the apostle still refused to allow things in the past burden his present or future. Paul wrote, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward for Christ Jesus.” Then he added, “All of us who are mature should take such a view of things…” (Philippians 3:13-15).

 

There’s value in reviewing the past, but not in dwelling on it. The good things make for fun memories, but now’s the time to think of how we can make more of them. The bad things can plague us if we let them, but that serves no good purpose. Learn from history and determine not to repeat it, especially as we rely on the power of Christ working in and through us. As Paul wrote to believers in ancient Philippi just verses later, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

 

When I find myself fretting over things I can’t undo or worrying about things that haven’t happened yet, I’m reminded of the title for the series of books by Richard Carlson, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff – and It’s All Small Stuff. There’s much truth to that title.

 

With the new year just heartbeats away, we can congratulate ourselves for making it through another year, navigating all of its ups and downs. We’ve done some worthwhile things. Hooray! We’ve made some mistakes. Who hasn’t? Most of all, we’ve laid the foundation for whatever lies ahead.

Now, before we’ve ventured too far into the new year, is the time for making plans, setting goals, and determining how to heed Paul’s wise and timeless admonition: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). Aligning our thoughts with God’s, we can make the coming year better than the last. 

Living for the Moment – Or Living in the Moment?

Ready or not, we’re officially immersed into the Christmas season. Retail stores, from Cracker Barrel to Hobby Lobby, have unveiled their holiday finest, 2019 edition: Trees brightly adorned. Snowy tabletop baubles and red-and-green finery in vast array. Familiar carols serenading us as we stroll through festively decorated malls. TV commercials bombarding us with “must haves” for our very special somebodies.

With these constant reminders, many of us already are anticipating magical moments. I know the Hallmark Channels are – around Christmastime, with them everything’s “magical.” Young ones envision Christmas morning, awakening to a tree surrounded by brightly wrapped gifts containing wonders soon to be revealed. Enticing aromas wafting from the kitchen, previewing a scrumptious dinner culminating with pies and other sweet delicacies. Over the next weeks the words, “I can’t wait!” will be uttered countless times.

Lots of people live for these moments. Of course, moments aren’t limited to Christmas or other holidays. We can live for the moment that we’ll depart for a long-awaited vacation. Brides – and grooms – live for the moment they arrive at the wedding site, exchange “I do’s,” and begin a journey together as husband and wife. A professional person might live for the moment when he or she earns the coveted title of “partner,” the reward for excellence, hard work and dedication to the firm.

The thing about moments, however, is that we await them for so long, then so quickly they’re gone. Here today – gone today. Then we’re left to consider what our next “moment” should be. 

Recently I heard someone suggest an alternative: Instead of living for the moment, why not try living in the moment?

Many of us tend to be future-oriented, always planning and preparing for something in the weeks or months ahead. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s fun to embrace upcoming activities and events with expectancy. But there’s a danger of becoming so preoccupied by days yet to come that we neglect to recognize opportunities of the day at hand.

In the Bible we read a lot about the future. It speaks about eternity, and life after death. Jesus said much about His return, His “second coming.” But the Scriptures also talk about the here and now, not becoming so future-focused that we become presently impoverished. 

For instance, Ephesians 5:16 warns about, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Or as a different translation phrases it, “making the most of your time.” In His most celebrated public message, the so-called “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus spoke about the dangers of going about our daily lives fearful of what might or might not occur in the future: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).

One aspect of this could be concentrating so much on what lies over the horizon that we find ourselves stumbling over good things right in front of us. An example was when Jesus spent time in the home of sisters Mary and Martha. Apparently a consummate hostess, Martha was preparing the dinner she would serve. Her sister, however, “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.”

The passage continues, “Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-41).

Jesus wasn’t rebuking Martha for her kindness in cooking a hearty meal, but was simply showing her that while she had been living for the moment, Mary realized the value of living in the moment. After all, how often did Jesus stop by one’s house for a personal visit?

Pondering the comparison between living in the moment vs. living for the moment, I think of a man I heard of, boasting about the significant estate he was amassing, intending to leave it all for charitable purposes upon his death. Although such intentions are laudable, I couldn’t help thinking about how much good his financial and material resources could accomplish for people right now, rather than delaying such assistance for years later. 

Proverbs 3:27-28 seems to address this when it admonishes, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you’ – when you already have it with you.”

Without question, it’s fun living part of the time for special moments – a favorite holiday, birthday or anniversary, or the vacation you’ve always dreamed about. But what about this moment? Right now? It could be holding some of the best memories of all.

Let’s Not Forget ‘This Day’

There's nothing like a beautiful sunrise to announce another day's arrival.

Many of us are forward thinkers. We’re planning our next vacation, deciding how to remodel the house, anticipating the next pay raise or promotion, evaluating the next big purchase, or simply looking forward to the weekend. Our minds are inclined to drift toward the future. But there’s a danger in being so concerned about “then” that we forget to enjoy “now.”

If there’s a benefit to having had major surgery, or recovering from being chronically ill, it’s that it helps us have greater appreciation for the moment we’re in. Each day’s a gift for every one of us – we’re not guaranteed tomorrow – but when one’s life has hung in the balance, it becomes easier to enjoy the beauty of the present.

The Bible speaks much about the future, especially the life that will follow this one, but it says a lot about today as well. The phrase, “this day,” appears several times to underscore our need to focus as much on the “now and now” as we do the “sweet by and by.” For instance, Jesus told His followers to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). He didn’t suggest dwelling on what we might need next week, or two months from now.

Later in the same passage He spoke about the pointlessness of fretting over the future, giving His hearers assurance that God would not fail to provide for them. Then Jesus added, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).

The psalmist wrote about the importance of embracing the present, stating, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). I try to remember that admonition every morning upon awakening, being thankful for another day of life and whatever opportunities God will send. There’s nothing wrong with gazing toward the horizon from time to time, but too much of that may cause us to miss out on what’s right in front of us.

I have several friends battling serious illnesses. For them, each day is truly a gift, a blessing. They don’t know how many more days they have left. Then there are those whose days have ended. My younger sister passed away just over a year ago, and I recently had a cousin not much older than me who also bid farewell to this life. Poignant reminders that each day, indeed, is precious.

But there’s one more element important for fully appreciating “this day.” As we’re living it out, we should consider who we’re living it for. Because that makes a world of difference in what we do, how we do it, and why.

It was Joshua, after leading the impulsive Israelites into the Promised Land, who issued them an immediate challenge. After recounting all God had done for the people of Israel, he told them to, “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

While rejoicing in knowing this is the day the Lord has made, it’s always a good idea to reaffirm whom we will choose to serve during it. Then we can do it again tomorrow – after it has morphed into “this day.”

Tense About the Past, or Thinking Future Tense?

Like it or not, we’re creatures – and captives – of time. We live in the present, one moment at a time, but can choose either to dwell on the past or anticipate and plan for the future. Where we focus our attention makes a great difference.

Setting sail toward the future is
far more productive than
sitting still on the beach.

As a friend of mine has observed, "You can't bring back the past, but you can make the best of the future." Entrepreneurs understand this well. Rather than taking the safe route of working for someone else and receiving a certain paycheck, entrepreneurs risk failure – and sometimes experience it – while pursuing their dreams. The secret is not allowing the memories of those failures to preoccupy their thoughts.

Inventors realize this, too. Think of Thomas Edison and the incandescent light bulb. Those that dreamed up the “horseless carriage.” Or the person whose brainchild was a nifty device called Velcro. They certainly encountered failure repeatedly before stumbling on the needed solutions, but didn’t let the past become a repressive enemy. Instead, it became a springboard for their success.

It’s often been said that the only true failure is failing to learn from the past. Not learning from the past in many cases destines us to repeat it. The past can be a great teacher, but it makes a poor constant companion.

Some of us find ourselves paralyzed by “woulda,” “shoulda,” and “coulda.” You know: “I wish I woulda done something different.” “I shoulda chosen that instead.” “If only I coulda had another opportunity.” All three focus on the undoable past rather than the yet-to-be-determined future.

Without question, we all have moments or even seasons of our lives we regret, but until someone discovers how to build a time machine, there’s nothing we can do to undo what’s done. And even with a time machine, some theorize, to change anything in the past could very well rend asunder the fabric of time. So instead, concentrating on the promising future is a brighter, healthier perspective.

The apostle Paul embraced this reality. If anyone did, Paul had much about which to feel remorseful – leading the persecution of followers of Jesus; being a passive participant in the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr; arrogantly opposing all who embraced the teachings of Christ and believed Him to be God in the flesh.

But then, after a dramatic encounter with Jesus through a vision on the road to Damascus, Paul became one of His most ardent disciples. He could have dwelt on his vicious and tragic past, but after experiencing the grace and mercy of Christ, rightly chose instead to give his complete attention to the future, serving his Savior and Lord with unparalleled zeal.

Writing to believers in Philippi, Paul said, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

His determination not to let a regrettable past master him, but rather to keep the future foremost in his mind, was underscored when Paul wrote, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes through strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

That should serve as an example for us all. Are you haunted by failed relationships, unrealized hopes and dreams, regrettable words and actions? Let the past rest in the grave of history. 

Keep our eyes on the prize, resolved to faithfully serve and represent the God we worship. Moving toward the future, rather than constantly gazing what’s gone on before, is a safer and healthier way of proceeding through this life.

Write Plans on Paper – God Has the Eraser

Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote, “The best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray. And leave us nothing but grief and pain, of promised joy.” (That’s not exactly the words Burns used, but unless you’re partial to his Scottish dialect, the modern English works fine.) Anyway, everyone that’s experienced much of life knows how true that is. Plans, whether big or small, have an annoying way of getting changed – even when you have no say in the matter.

You neatly plan your day and you’re ready to get started when the phone rings. A loved one or a friend has an emergency. “Can you come – right now?” Or you arrive at the office, thinking about the tasks you need to accomplish, when you’re told of an important, unscheduled departmental meeting in 15 minutes. Or the day arrives for the long-awaited outing and, contrary to the weather person’s promise last night, a torrential downpour has settled in.

When you're formulating your plans, avoid writing 
them in ink - and always have an eraser handy.

Years ago, as a new assistant editor at a suburban newspaper, I was toiling alone on a quiet Saturday morning. Saturdays typically were slow news days, so getting my feet wet in drawing up the front pages for the day seemed a simple task. I’d finished my layout sheets to instruct people in the composing room where each article and photo was to go. I was basking in a feeling of accomplishment when the unthinkable happened: the bell on the wire service machine rang, alerting me to major breaking news.

“Oh, no,” I thought. “The pages are done. I can’t make changes now!” I was tempted to act as if I’d gone suddenly deaf and hadn’t heard the bell, but was experienced enough to know that when news breaks you can’t ignore it.

A school bus had crashed in California, killing a number of students. Even though the news wasn’t from our area, I knew I couldn’t get by with leaving the nice photo of the tall ships and the cute little feature story on the front page. It was time to start over – and the press deadline was approaching.

Before I became overcome with panic, the managing editor came in, just to “check in” and see how I was doing. Seasoned veteran that he was, he immediately assessed the situation, took control, rearranged the stories for the front page, including the account of the tragic crash, and the paper was ready for the presses with minutes to spare.

Rather than berating my incompetence at coping with a sudden change under pressure, my boss offered a kindly word of advice I’ve cherished ever since: “Always have a plan B.”

Recently I read a quote that said, “Write your plans on paper – and remember that God has the eraser.” Looking over my more than six decades on earth, considering the convoluted course my life and career have followed, that’s proved true for me. And frankly, I’m glad God is the one with the eraser.

One of the first Bible passages I learned is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Many times, in both my professional and personal life, I felt certain what I planned to do was right only to discover God had a very different plan. His “plan B.” More often than not, a better plan than I could have imagined.

That’s why I’ve found assurance in this promise: “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:4-7).

When it comes to planning, to borrow the line from the old Robert Young sitcom, Father does know best. He’s good at implementing plan B – and really knows how to handle an eraser.

View from the ‘Empty Nest’

The “empty nest” can be a wonderful place: Children are grown and raised, perhaps married, involved in careers, raising their own kids, and building their lives. Grandkids come over, get spoiled, then go home to mommy and daddy.

In between visits, husband and wife can rekindle their relationship – older and wiser, having survived together the challenges and struggles of marriage and family life.

This has been true for Sally and me. We love time with our children and grandchildren. Being Grandma and Pop is everything – and more – than expected. But we also relish evenings together, watching favorite TV shows or reading books, and going out to dinner, just the two of us.

Yes, the empty nest is a good place – usually.

Earlier this week, however, another type of “empty nest” wasn’t as enjoyable. Just before Easter we found a nest in a bush outside our front door. Inside it were three tiny, yet-to-hatch eggs, watched vigilantly by a mama robin. We observed our little “Easter eggs” from a distance, careful not to disturb the doting parent.

A couple days later I noticed one of the eggs had disappeared. Then, two days ago, all three eggs were gone, mama was nowhere in sight, leaving only a truly empty nest.

One day the mama bird was preparing
for eggs to hatch, the next day all were gone.

It was too soon for the baby birds to hatch, acclimate to life outside the shell, and attend flight school. A cat most likely discovered the nest, situated just a few feet above the ground. (An orange cat was on our front porch yesterday, ogling the nest. I suspect it was the perpetrator, but we don’t have DNA evidence.)

In any case, there will be no little robin cheeps to hasten mama’s delivery of worms (or whatever they eat). Mother robin, if not also a victim of the predator, might be off mourning somewhere. Avian dreams of nurturing little offspring, teaching them to spread their wings and fly, have died. Tomorrow’s hopes have become today’s disappointment.

That’s kind of how it is for many of us. We anticipate and project into the future – vacations, major purchases, special outings. We set aside funds for college and retirement; we make early preparations for Christmas. No room for interruptions or altered plans.

Not that planning is wrong. Waiting until the last minute can be problematic, even disastrous. But putting all of our ducks in a row and expecting them to stay that way can backfire. While getting ready for tomorrow, today happens.

Sometimes interruptions are good – surprise calls from friends and loved ones; unexpected job offers; unanticipated windfalls. But other times, “tomorrow interrupted” provokes emotions ranging from annoyance to despair.

So it helps to balance future thinking with present living. The Bible says as much. Ephesians 5:16 urges, “redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” And in Matthew 6:34, Jesus advised His followers, “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

So let’s appreciate the day we have. As someone has said, (even though it’s a bit corny), “Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.”