I really enjoyed our look at the musical Back to The Future. I have not seen the musical but loved the movie in which Marty McFly travels back in time to the 1950’s. It’s been several days since we looked at the show, and I haven’t been able to get it off my mind. Perhaps part of the reason is all the folks I visit with who have lost loved ones. As we plan services of remembrance, we often spend much time revisiting the past focusing on those memories that make family members smile. I often say it is those memories that sustain us when a loved one dies.
What does scripture say about the past? Isaiah 43 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Paul writes in Philippians 3, “Forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead.” Is there a conflict here? Is the Bible trying to tell us to let go of our memories? It might appear so at first, but what I really think God has in mind for us is NOT TO LIVE in the past. In other words, do not dwell so much on what happened 20 or 40 years ago that we ignore today. God has given us this day as a gift and today is the only time we have to make a difference in our life and the lives of others. The great boxing champ, Muhammad Ali, once said, “Don’t count the days, make the days count.” So, if we spend all our time remembering the past, we won’t be able to make this day count.
The past is important. It reminds us of what was once good but also encourages us to learn from our mistakes and change them in the future. Looking at the past in a broader scope, I am not responsible for the terrible ways in which people were once treated decades ago, but I am responsible for making sure my children and grandchildren are aware, so the mistakes of the past are not repeated. We need to remember our history…warts and all.
So, remember the past and smile at the memories of loved ones who blessed your life, but don’t forget to get back to the future and focus on remembering today. I heard a Billy Joel song the other day that captures this idea well.
This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days to hold on to
Cause we won’t, although we’ll want to
Don’t let a day slip by because this is the time
you’ll turn back to and those will be the days
you can never recall.
Rev. Dave Poteet, Pastor of Congregational Care
