Reflections: Looking back

Coming to the end of the calendar year and the liturgical year in November. We “fall back” because of daylight saving time.  We “look back” on Halloween (All Hallows Eve and All Saints Day) and remember those who have gone to their eternal reward before us.  Those who laid foundations in our lives don’t always get to see the fruit of their labor except in their mind’s eye by faith.  And we give thanks for their vision and faith which we now live while laying foundations in the lives of our children and grandchildren.  Some celebrate the passing of loved ones annually in appreciation of the impact their lives had on those who came later.

Some people, of course, just look back to desire what they had before which is no longer relevant:  Lot’s wife who looked back and became a pillar of salt testament to desire to keep what is without recognizing the wealth of the future.  The Israelites looked back after they were freed from Egyptian slavery reminiscing about the leeks and onions they once ate instead of “manna” (What IS it?). Some of the heroes of faith died without receiving the promises (Hebrews 11:13) and some looked back.  People get what they meditate on.  These people would have been able to go back if going back was all they considered but how thankful are we they desired a better country, a heavenly one, so God was not ashamed to be called their God.(Hebrews 11:13-16)

As we consider those who came before us, we can see where their priorities lay. Some forged to enter the new world and build empires. Some invested in education.  Others invested in spiritual values.  Others invested in material wealth:  gold, silver, cash.  Some invested in their families and trained them to help each other and build something lasting through their familial legacy.  Where do our investments lie? Do we pursue temporal or eternal?  Do we need to make adjustments?

Some people just waste their substance not recognizing the brevity of our earthly lives and the importance of time. A good example of squandering our substance, our time, our inheritance and our family is the story of the prodigal son.   My niece was laid to rest this week.  Hers was a life not fully lived.  She was so young when she passed.  One of my sisters-in-law also had her mortal coil laid to rest. The older I get, the more I get to contemplate the value of my sojourn here and how I spend it.

We will end the calendar year by considering the birth of the firstborn son of God who before the foundation of the world was chosen to be the lamb slain.  God meticulously stitched the utterances of Old Testament prophets to lay the framework for the life he would live as he took flesh and fulfilled his destiny and gave us the opportunity to be fully alive also.  We are a new creation in Christ.  (2 Corinthians 5:17) We are ambassadors for Christ inviting the world to be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)  Let those who came before us propel us to love and good works and grant impetus to excel as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

(Cathy Bayert is pastor of Greybull First Baptist Church.)