Human beings have a natural tendency to be glued to the events of the past, whether positive or negative, mostly because the future seems uncertain and intangible.

Just imagine someone driving a car and staring at the rearview mirror alone; he will end up a casualty along with many others on the road. You cannot move forward in life by looking behind you.

Many times, we spend our days in deep regrets about the past and how we ought to have made wiser decisions. But the longer we stay mourning the past, the longer we delay moving forward into the future.

“Learn the lesson and leave the trauma” were the exact words of a dear friend to me when I was stuck at a low point in my life, which woke me up from my lethargy.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” – Isaiah 43:18-19

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

The best of us is really not behind us but before us. We will not find the new thing God has in store for us if we stay regretting and mourning the past.

On the flip side, we could also get fixated on past glory and achievements. Many people talk about “the good ol’ days,” how they served God while they were in school or while they were younger. This brings a false sense of rest and satisfaction to the soul.

Holding on to past glory only builds complacency in us and hinders us from fulfilling the total purpose of God for our lives. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, had this to say about himself:

“…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13b-14

One will not be caught up in the quagmire of the past if he does what Paul says – PRESS ON!

Purpose awaits! A generation awaits! God awaits!

Written By Sis Gbemisola Dawn Fache (Team Watchmen)