Came across this verse yesterday when I was reading the Book of Ecclesiastes:
ECC 7:10
ECC 7:10
Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?"
For it is not wise to ask such questions.
Strange that I never noticed it before. I realise I am pretty guilty of that too. Find myself too often reminiscing about the "good old days", when life is simpler, when there is more freedom, time for myself, when I may have less money, but less bills to pay, and more $$ to spend on myself! I do wonder sometimes, especially when the going gets tough in balancing all the demands of my life, what my life would be like now, had I made different choices regarding my work, ministry, family and kids. Would I have a "better" life now if I had chosen differently?
The grass always looks greener on the other side of the pasture, especially when you meet friends who have chosen differently and seem to be still enjoying the "good old days" kind of lifestyle now.
But after meditating on Ecclesiastes 7:10, I begin to understand why it is unwise to reminisce too much: because it is quite contrary to the spirit of Paul when he exhorts his readers in Philippians 3:13 to "forget what is behind, so as to strive forward towards the goal that God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Indeed, sometimes it is not the bad past that stops us from overcoming and moving forward; it is instead a good past that drags us back, reminding us of how good things were in those days of old, so that it tempts us to try to recreate the "good old times" rather than to spur us to create an even better future.
A timely reminder. I thank God for the "good old days". But I need to face the reality that those days will not return. So instead of asking why things are better in the past, I need to look ahead and keep moving forward towards the glorious future in Christ Jesus.
For it is not wise to ask such questions.
Strange that I never noticed it before. I realise I am pretty guilty of that too. Find myself too often reminiscing about the "good old days", when life is simpler, when there is more freedom, time for myself, when I may have less money, but less bills to pay, and more $$ to spend on myself! I do wonder sometimes, especially when the going gets tough in balancing all the demands of my life, what my life would be like now, had I made different choices regarding my work, ministry, family and kids. Would I have a "better" life now if I had chosen differently?
The grass always looks greener on the other side of the pasture, especially when you meet friends who have chosen differently and seem to be still enjoying the "good old days" kind of lifestyle now.
But after meditating on Ecclesiastes 7:10, I begin to understand why it is unwise to reminisce too much: because it is quite contrary to the spirit of Paul when he exhorts his readers in Philippians 3:13 to "forget what is behind, so as to strive forward towards the goal that God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Indeed, sometimes it is not the bad past that stops us from overcoming and moving forward; it is instead a good past that drags us back, reminding us of how good things were in those days of old, so that it tempts us to try to recreate the "good old times" rather than to spur us to create an even better future.
A timely reminder. I thank God for the "good old days". But I need to face the reality that those days will not return. So instead of asking why things are better in the past, I need to look ahead and keep moving forward towards the glorious future in Christ Jesus.
_
1 comment:
yepz...let's all thank God for all the good times and victories we have won on this earth. And let's look forward to our ultimate rest in heaven.
Only one home and one resting place...
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