The Past is Not Our Master

History is an essential part of a well-rounded education. This is not the case from the standpoint of memorizing dates or battles or lists of leaders; it is from learning what makes humans “tick.” It is from learning what worked toward success and, conversely, what led to failure.

One can truly know the importance of history from reading the Bible. Within its pages, God has meticulously recorded both personal and national histories as a way of teaching how He wants humans to approach Him. These lessons should not be lost on the Bible student. Studying through these sordid histories not only teaches the human condition, but it also teaches how one can strive for humanity’s God-given goal: Eternal life with Him.

For all of history’s benefits, there is also a tragic element. Humans have a keen tendency to allow the past to master their present. One way this happens is by resting on past accomplishments and failing to progress. The Apostle Paul warned about such an attitude when he wrote, “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13b-14). Not “peaking too early” should be the goal of every child of God! Every year of one’s life should illustrate this desire to press forward in Christ.

Another side of this tragic element is allowing guilt over past wrongs to place restraints on moving forward. Reckless living in youth, spiritual failure of one’s adult children, and years spent in apathetic service to God are examples of the kinds of things that create a burden of guilt, making one believe that a positive way forward with Him is unachievable. Such an attitude clouds over God’s love of forgiveness and His promise to help one move forward. The apostles Peter and Paul certainly attest that past wrongs do not diminish a spiritually rich future.

To allow one’s future to be held captive by the past is a clever tool of the enemy. Borrowing a well-worn phrase, it allows a man “to become his own worst enemy.” While the past can provide good teaching, it must never become a controlling force over one’s future.

What follows is a writing that was recently shared with me that highlights the dangers of allowing the past to serve as master. Take time to read and meditate on the rich truths found within it. Above all, remember that past successes or failures are just that – past. With every new morning, God gives opportunity to progress in faith and, through his love and grace, grow better prepared for the grand promise of eternal life to come.

“You Can’t Go Back”

Pam McCowan

I recently received an invitation to my 50th high school reunion.

Over the years I had thought about various friends I had gone to school with, but I hadn’t really stayed in touch with anyone—mostly because I moved away my senior year and didn’t reach out to them.

As time went on, I would hear about this person or that, about good things and bad, but when I thought of these people, I always imagined them as looking like and being exactly the same as the last time I saw them.

So, when I received the 50-year reunion invitation, I looked up some people I used to know and hang out with. I was shocked! Nobody looked the same, some were in poor health, and some had already passed away! Then to add insult to injury I discovered that my high school, my wonderful high school no longer existed—it had been replaced with a new high school building in a new location.

We all know we can’t go back to any point in the past. The people are different, the places are different, and you are different.

We read in Philippians 3:13-14 how Paul pressed on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We see what happened to Lot’s wife when she looked back in a longing way to her old home, old way of life—family—Genesis 19:26, Luke 17:32. She died because of it. We see in Luke 9:62 that we are not supposed to look back after setting our hand to the plow. The entire book of Hebrews is about Jewish believers (Christians) wanting to “go back” to the Old Law in order to escape persecution by their countrymen.

It is not healthy, or helpful, or wise, or even right to dwell on the past. We can’t change it; we can’t go back to it. Our calling in Christ is for the present and the future.

So, make your calling and election sure! Don’t look back. The best is yet to come!