A thought by
Larry Osborne, (2009-04-04) from his book, Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith
(Kindle Locations 1321-1322). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click
on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)
That is such
a good thing. For so many the pain in
their past controls their view of today so to not have that happen is a very
good thing.
But Larry
also looks at the opposite. He says, “But
our rose-colored memories can also have a detrimental effect. They can blind us
to the beauties of the present. They can distort reality. They can leave us
with an unholy dissatisfaction, where every glass is half empty and our dreams
of the future are nothing but a longing for a nonexistent past.”
He goes on,
“I’ve seen romanticized memories destroy marriages. Bored husbands and wives
reconnect with an old flame on Facebook or at a high school reunion. After
comparing the slog of the present with an idealized memory of the past, they
cast off the drudgery of today to reclaim the glories of yesterday.
Unfortunately, they always seem to forget why the old relationship ended in the
first place. But it usually doesn’t take long for them to remember. And by then
it’s too late. They’re caught in a back-to-the-future nightmare.”
He then
says, “I’ve also watched the relentless pursuit of a romanticized past lead
people to displace their families, sidetrack their careers, and squander their
finances. I’ve seen it tear apart churches, obliterate contentment, and destroy
legacies. Perhaps that’s why the author of Ecclesiastes wrote, ‘Do not say, “Why
were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such
questions.” He knew what we so quickly
forget: These are the good old days. Or they will be before long.”
The past is
past and the future is ahead of us but the life we are living and that we have
control over is in the present. “This is
the day the Lord has made. Let us
rejoice and be glad in it.”
So where are
you living?
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