I should think about the future because that’s the emphasis in the New Testament. And it’s good to live in the moment too. But in reality, I think that I spend most time thinking about the past. Maybe it’s quite natural as you grow older, but I can even remember doing that as a child. I’d get goosebumps when I heard a song that had been popular a couple of years before 😄.
And nowadays, I get goosebumps when I hear certain old songs. This one, from 1974 does that to me even though I can’t remember particularly liking the song when I was 12.
Of course, I can thank God for the good memories and for helping me get through the difficult times. I’m not the only one who dwells on the past. Think of the hymn, Amazing Grace. For the first three verses, he reflects on the past. Then he thinks about the future.
1 Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
2 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
3 Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
'tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
4 The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
5 Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease:
I shall possess, within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.
6 The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine;
but God, who called me here below,
will be forever mine.
Here are some Irish girls and boys singing the song.
Here are a couple of modern songs loosely based on the original:
The thing is, I don’t see how you could have hope for the future without thinking about the past. Heaven will be greater than anything in this life. So, I like to reflect on all the best of this life at a personal level and also in history. And then, I have a greater appetite for heaven.
When we read the Bible, we’re reflecting on past events. But ultimately, we should look to the future. We’ll either go to Christ immediately after our own death or hill will return while we are still alive. But in both cases, all heaven and earth looks to His return:
Acts 1:11
11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Titus 3:11-14
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Revelation 1:7
“Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen.
Hibernia Gospel 