Looking back benefits us
image from Science Pictures
Satchel Paige, the phenomenal pitcher from another era, said, “Never look back…someone might be gaining on you.” Satch pitched better than he philosophized—looking back can give us perspective on what’s yet ahead of us. Sheila picked up a book of devotions “Standing on the Promises” by Marilyn Goss, having many pages with a new verse and picture. I love the current one, “I have been young and now am old. And in all my years I have never seen the Lord forsake a man who loves him” (Psalm 37:25 NLB).
Once
I ran in the center of life
appropriately ambitious
cognizant of culture
entirely engaged
mentally and emotionally and spiritually
with the ethos of the times and God
energetic
mentally and physically and spiritually
connected
in multiple realms
of work and church and city
Now
swift changes have spun me to the periphery
ambition abandoned
culture has changed around me
sitting back
mentally and emotionally and spiritually
energy depleted
mentally and emotionally and physically
connections severed
by death and retirement and health and relocation
And I find myself on the outskirts
fully content with that
Yes, most of you won’t qualify as young, but the principle of learning by looking back applies to all remains the same and benefits all. Let’s explore that.
Looking back can increase our wisdom as we learn from what happens, both the victories and defeats teach us what to do, what to avoid, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (Psalm 119:71). I appreciate the old line, “Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on me.” A fool never learns, a smart man learns from his mistakes, but a wise man learns from the mistakes of others.
Looking back can also increase our trust in God. That was the point of the quote by Goss, David saw the faithfulness of God and drew spiritual strength from that. When I first heard the worship song “The Goodness of God,” I just bawled, “All my life you have been faithful, all my life you have been so so good.” I reviewed all he has done in my life and I trembled in awe. Ironic, how when we look back, we can hope for the future.
Looking back also helps us strategize our entire life. YOLO is true, we only live once. But a wise YOLOist doesn’t do stupid acts that will likely cause pain later. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d make 78, but I did look ahead and make plans to be ready. Frankly, those plans have been frequently revised when utilizing learning. I didn’t know I’d live this long, but wanted to be ready. I guess the key is to seek wisdom, “If they were wise, they would understand this, they would discern their latter end” (Deuteronomy 32:29).
Kick Starting the Application
How often do you look backward to build confidence that God has been working in your life? Although we can’t fully know the future, are you making plans for it?