There has been a recent spate of posts about LOTWF/CC photos posted by Martha from several years ago. It’s great to see the comments and the people being touched by the memories, many of whom we have not seen for years, or even decades. Those were special days as the Lord moved among us, most of us newly minted believers, new creatures in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).
In the age in which we live we have photos that bring back powerful memories of things that we may have otherwise forgotten. People, places, and events that we may not have thought about in a long time. Sweet memories. Sometimes bittersweet memories since we haven’t seen each other in so long or so often. Memories that create emotions as we recall the experiences of the past. It’s wonderful to reminisce about those blessed days. We were young and young in the faith, made many mistakes often, but the Lord was gracious and patient with us. Of course, He still is, per His impeccable and immutable nature (Exodus 34:5-7).
Yet, as has been attributed to Yogi Berra, but actually was first said by Peter De Vries, “Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be.” We are exhorted in scripture to remember many things (Philippians 3:1). We are to remember that we have been cleansed from our sins (2 Peter 1:9); to remember the words of the holy prophets and apostles (2 Peter 3:1-2); to remember the sacrifice of Jesus, the Son of God, who died to redeem us (1 Corinthians 11:24-25); to remember our brothers and sisters in prison (Hebrews 13:3) and those who are suffering (1 Corinthians 12:26), etc. Firstly, we are to remember His love for us and love each other as He loved us (John 15:12), forgiving one another as He has forgiven us (Colossians 3:13).
I enjoy looking at those old pics (especially the ones where I need to gain a little weight and there’s fluffy stuff growing out of the top of my head; what’s up with that?). It would be great to go back to those times with the knowledge and understanding we now (hopefully) possess. But we can only go in one direction through time. We can’t go back to the old days, but we can ask for the old paths (Jeremiah 6:16) and walk in them.
We never want to forget the relationships forged in those days, or the love of and for the saints departed, either to be with the Lord, or to other fields of service. We also look forward to the reunion we will experience in His presence, fullness of joy and removal of regrets! Yet we are also to forget some things. We are to forget those things that are behind that would keep us from reaching forward to those things that are ahead (Philippians 3:13). To lay aside every weight or sin that hinders (Hebrews 12:1). To always “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:10-14) To KNOW HIM!
Getting ‘Past’ It
As we think back on those days, there are probably things that most of us have that we need to “get passed”, to get over, either something that we did or said and still feel bad about, or things that were done or said to us unjustly (yeah, those days, as great as they were, were not perfect). I would certainly like to be able to repair the damage from my own errors in judgment. As long as I am in the body, I will be subject to error. But God is the only one with the Big Eraser. The good news is that He uses it quite liberally on our behalf (Psalm 103:10-13)! His love for us goes so far beyond what we can conceive!
Back to the future
It’s true that “nostalgia is not what it used to be”, but JESUS IS! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! (Hebrews 13:8) Today, we have the same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God (1 Cor 12:4-5). He hasn’t changed. He DOESN’T change (Malachi 3:6). HALLELUJAH! THE LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT REIGNS! (Revelation 19:6) The things He was doing back then He is just as willing to do now. He has the same desire to bless us by His Spirit with His many blessings and gifts! We simply have to come in the same humble way, loving Him and seeking His face. He is faithful!
Today, there is still a hell to shun and a heaven to be won. There is still a world to be reached with the gospel that is the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16). Today, the same fellowship is available to us that was available ‘in the day.’ He wants us to be filled in the same way by His Spirit, full of “joy inexpressible and full of glory” (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 1:8). He wants us to be His NOW, today, and to the end, totally and completely His.
The nation of Israel was rebuked for forgetting the past, for forgetting their deliverance from slavery, for forgetting the mighty works that God had done on their behalf (Psalm 106); an evident token of His care for them. But the failing created by their forgetting was that they did not trust God in the present. All that they had experienced was for naught in their current circumstance. He was still there for them, would have continued to be strong for them against their enemies, but they forgot their relationship with Him. They forgot who He is and what He had done for them. They forgot. And they didn’t believe.
If we remember the early days fondly, but have drifted from our commitment or love for the Lord, we should heed the Lord’s word to the church of Ephesus in Revelation 3:1-7. That church had many things going for it for which Jesus highly commended them. Works, patience, labor, discernment. But He also said “I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” He counsels them to remember that place of love for Him, to repent, and to return to those first works, i.e. their works of and from love for Him. There is no love so rewarding as love for the Lord! Never unrequited, never disappointed, never forsaken, never failing!
One other thing about those days that we do not want to forget is the expectation that our Savior and Lord Jesus could return at any time to snatch away His church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58). I had a bumper sticker on my 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 that depicted an angel blowing a trumpet with a caption of “Maybe Today.”
His people are to live in an expectation of His soon return (Revelation 22:20; Mark 13:31-37; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 5:9-10). This expectation is designed by the Lord to produce a motivation toward purification (1John 2:28-3:3).
Let’s keep looking for His coming and our redemption that draws near, seeking to please Him in every way! (Luke 21:28-36; 2 Corinthians 5:9).