LOOKING BACK
If you insist that your present is the result of your past, you are like a person driving your car constantly looking in the rear view mirror. You find it difficult to plan the future, because you are always looking back to find out what you ought to do. Thus you can’t adapt to new situations today. We think the past is all-important and is the effective factor in our behavior. Many have a preoccupation with death because they are afraid to lose the things they have accumulated.
WOODY ALLEN ON LIVING LIFE BACKWARDS
“In my next life, I want to live my life backwards. You start out dead and get that out of the way. Then you wake up in an old people’s home feeling better every day. You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect your pension, and then when you start work, you get a gold watch and a party on your first day. You work for 40 years until you’re young enough to enjoy your retirement. You party, drink alcohol, and are generally promiscuous, then you are ready for high school. You then go to primary school, you become a kid, you play. You have no responsibilities, you become a baby until you are born. And then you spend your last 9 months floating in luxurious spa-like conditions with central heating and room service on tap, larger quarters every day and then Voila! you finish off as an orgasm!” This is a strange concept from a man who stated emphatically that he does not believe in an afterlife.
THE DANGER OF NOSTALGIA
Nostalgia is a form of escapism by taking a vacation in the past instead of grappling with the present or looking to the future in faith. As I have counseled people through the years, I have been amazed how many people let their past drag them down and defeat them because they just won’t let it go. How many times I have heard “But preacher, you just don’t understand, I can’t” My reply, “Can’t means won’t!” How we love a pity party. You can’t reconstruct the past and even if you could, you can’t change it.
IT”S TIME TO MOVE ON
You can’t possibly imagine how many challenges my beloved brother RON has faced to get where he is today. Our Dad pounded into us growing up “Never give up son.” He practiced what he preached. No matter what the economy, Ron and company always find a way to help you make it big in real estate. Are you listening or still trying to reinvent the wheel?
IS THIS YOUR DREAM
“Yes sir, I am going to work hard and then I will get to the point I can just sit back and relax the rest of my life with no worries about anything.” Hello, come out of la-la land.
WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN?
The Westminster Shorter Catechism states that “man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” Jesus said “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (to enjoy life to the full)”. John 10:10
Philippians 2:11 “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” When you repent and trust in Christ and confess Him as your Lord, it is “to the glory of God the Father.” And you will have joy and contentment now and pleasure forevermore.
Very good David. Thank you