And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.” vss. 52-53
Luke 9:57-62
Periodically we are prone to bouts of nostalgia, times when we look back with fondness to the days of old and the values of yesteryear. Seen through the rear-view mirror of our minds, the blessings of the past loom large, and what really happened is forgotten. Jesus indicates that such thinking is deceptive and can seriously distort our experience of the present and future. His words “no one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God,” seem harsh, but upon reflection, they are most certainly true. While the objective study of history is important and can keep us from making foolish mistakes, it’s impossible to replicate its glories. That’s true in our personal lives, the direction of our country, and in the life of the Church. The past doesn’t define our future and the sooner we come to terms with that, the better we’ll be. Many of our congregations are having to deal with what some call “the glory years,” and precious time can be wasted in lamenting that things just aren’t what they used to be. Jesus gave us his Spirit as a visionary guide for the future, and that’s exactly what the Spirit will do. The best is yet to come!
Thought for the Day: What do I like to look back at?
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