Back to the Future or Forward to the Past?

I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; 

but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus….

Let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

Philippians 3:`3-14, 16

Back to the Future or Forward to the Past?

I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; 

but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus….

Let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

Philippians 3:`3-14, 16

“I can’t wait to go back to normal.” 

I’ve heard this statement many times the last months and have thought it myself. On second thought though, do I really want to go back to “normal?” Hasn’t the pandemic taught me lessons for change going forward? I remind myself and inscribe those lessons so I won’t forget.

  • The pandemic taught me that slowing down benefitted me and was not a moral weakness. When all social interaction was banished, travel, school, appointments, ministry, and work ceased or slowed to a trickle. The elimination of commitments revealed to me that I had been living out of an unconscious pressure to accomplish. Clearing my schedule by necessity and without guilt allowed me to rest in Christ. Relief and joy flooded the void left by the pressure to be busy, and reminded me that my worth is not proportionate to my productivity.
  • With the silencing of commitments, I heard the outdoors beckon, and answering that call refreshed me. I sat on the glider on the back porch while hummingbirds chased each other and hovered at the feeder. Spring weather and boredom pulled me and others in the neighborhood to walk at all times of the day. Before the pandemic I might see three or four mom’s pushing strollers who kept their eyes on their tasks, after the pandemic began, I counted twenty neighbors riding bikes, jogging or working in their yards and they nodded, smiled and often spoke. Slowing down caused me to notice scenes and people which I normally filter from thought.
  • The pandemic shifted and sharpened my perspective on the value of things. Without covid-19, I took for granted hugs and gatherings, graham crackers and frozen peas. Though always anticipated with happiness, my sons’ and daughter-in-law’s voices I cherished even more. In reverse, clothes, jewelry or makeup I donned in the morning no longer mattered. The importance of peoples’ approval dried up and blew away. The world simplified, and I was unconcerned about lesser things.
  • I learned that even when aligned on fundamental values, I should not assume others and I think alike on every issue or that I am correct. Valid threads course through arguments on both sides of mask wearing, political debates, racial tensions and meeting in person. Instead of expecting others to show consideration, God calls me to humble myself to listen and to extend mercy and grace as I would like. 
  • The pandemic enlightened me to a different view of the United States and myself as her citizen. Relatives and friends living in other nations viewed the pandemic as a world-wide catastrophe not as a conspiracy to affect U. S. elections. They reacted to the pandemic mostly as a community working together to combat the spread of the illness. Americans, including me, spent energy in civil warring and promoting opinions. Instead of pushing my opinion, I should promote the welfare of my community and other nations.
  • I learned that grocery store shelves emptied, that scientists disagreed, and that all media was biased. I discovered that nothing could be written on a calendar, no ticket bought or doctor appointment kept. Solid businesses went bankrupt. Americans fire bombed buildings and bad-apple police treated citizens like in a third world country. The unthinkable surprised me time and again. The pandemic reiterated that God is the only secure constant in this world of illness, natural disasters and flawed people.
  • Lastly, I was struck with the necessity to pray. God called me to pray alone for my sins and the sins of my country, aware that the finger of guilt pointed to me. He called me to pray with other people, because my perspective is limited (lessons 4 & 5) and because corporate prayer unifies us. Together we acknowledged our need for God to rescue us. In unity, we exalted God for who He is and humbled ourselves, for who we are.

I admit with shame that I forgot these lessons. As our calendar once again fills with obligations, that tightening in my gut returns. I stand in front of hanging clothes, debating which outfit to wear and forego my walk for running errands. The news angers me, and I’m losing hope. Joy and peace attained during the beginning of the pandemic have fled, because I’ve forgotten. 

LORD, God, help me to retain these gifts of insight which You have given. I want to bring You glory in any uncertain circumstance and live truer to the person You want and made me to be. I don’t want to have to learn these lessons again but to reach forward from ground I’ve already attained. 

.

Attained:

Stems from to reach, accomplish, convict

To reach as an end: gain, achieve (~a goal) 2: to come into possession of: obtain 3: to come to as the end of a progression or course of movement, to come or arrive by motion, growth or effort

10 thoughts on “Back to the Future or Forward to the Past?”

  1. Bravo, sweet sister. I am with you in your heart’s desire to not forget and not stop practicing the truths God has showed us during these long months. I am convinced in my soul these months have been a ‘boot camp’ if you will to help train us for the days, months and years ahead. He is refining us, humbling us, equipping us, drawing us nearer to Christlikeness and Himself. You know, I have likened this ‘back to normal’ to the Israelites wandering in the wilderness wanting to go back to Egypt. God has graced us with freedom and life into His Church/Kingdom in Jesus and we still tend to murmur and grumble. Help me, Dear Lord, to understand Your grace that revealed the Living Truth (Jesus) to me and help me to know the grace gift it is to share You and love others in Your name. Amen

    1. I agree with your “boot camp” thought. I’m inclined to think things will get worse, because Jesus told us to expect trouble. I need to toughen up so that these “light and passing trials” don’t fill my mouth with complaining. Maybe i should add that to my list of lessons learned: I complain too much. (Is any complaining not too much?!)

  2. Denise Martindale

    Thank you for this Suzy. I love the list of lessons learned! Thank you. I wondered about your thought of wanting to cherish and remember the lessons learned this year. I don’t want to forget them either. What do you do to remind yourself that the world is not our final destination?

    I find myself praying, “They kingdom come, Thy will be done.”

    1. Haha! My body often reminds me that the best is yet to come! God uses all troubles like Covid-19, hurricanes, and animosity to remind me that my eternal home awaits, where pain and sorrow are banned. Practically speaking, I’m considering an abbreviated list posted at the kitchen or bathroom sinks or on the car dashboard. Unfortunately, after time, I’ll quit seeing it. I think your strategy is the best: prayer and scripture. The Holy Spirit will remind us when we need the nudge.

  3. Good question Denise, would love both of your answers. Some things I can think of, is our ‘one another’ discipleship accountability to exhort each other; to enter into each other’s lives and know where they are; and our accountability back by being transparent in our struggling with sin and perspective.

  4. Wonderful comments by all of you and I agree with each and everyone of you. I struggle to stay connected with others during this time of seclusion but I find that I am never alone because I have God and I have His word. I remember that He is in control and that He knows our hearts and minds and we can honor Him by doing our very best to imitate His Son, Jesus Christ and push the earthly things aside to let Him take over my every day living. Thanks for your words of wisdom, Suzy. They always help me.

    1. Thank YOU, Kathy. I’m glad you can connect here with us. Isolation is a difficult path. Perhaps when you feel alone most acutely, that is your reminder that God has promised a heavenly home of community. Hopefully, we will do a better job of connecting with you in the meantime. 🙂

  5. Thank you for sharing your great insights and analysis, Suzy. I’ve printed this and added it to my small collection of newspaper and magazine essays about 2020.

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