Covenant Church

"You can not put your foot into the river twice at the same place," observed Hereclitus.

Imagine that you could put your foot into a mold or frame and insert it into the river a second time. Would it be the same place? Or, would the water be different? Would the river have moved on? Would the shape of the foot be in some way, even microscopically, a little different?

Here we are finishing up 2007. We survived the Year 2000 when doomsday prophets shared frightful scenarios. Computers were supposed to crash. World catastrophes were predicted. It did not happen.

September 11, 2001, though forever etched in our memory is behind us. While extremists have sought every means possible to bring destruction there remains a relative peace in the world. Many experts say Americans have never been more protected and safe.

We dare not presume that yesterday is a constant. We are not so naive as to think that the future is a repeat of the past. We know the river keeps flowing, variables keep changing, and time and circumstances create new conditions and expectations.

The droll and uninformed might argue that nothing ever changes. We know better. Looking into the mirror is a reminder of change. We change. Weather changes. Government changes. Interest rates change. Taxes change.

I know a man who bought his home 64 years ago for $8,000. His house payment including interest was $45 per month. His home is now worth about $200,000, which means his taxes are a lot more than $45 per month.

God changes things. He keeps on making galaxies and stars. Unless He is taking angels away from other duties He is creating new angels to be over new stars. By the way there may be 40,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars.  He is a big God.

Sit down. Reflect on the past. Ponder where you have been. Ponder what you have done. No, do not get upset or discouraged. Do not dwell on the negative. Remember, you cannot change the past.

It is better to think about the past with a positive attitude. Think of the past seeing it through God's grace. Think of the past remembering that except for grace you would not be here to think. Think of the past that God was looking out for you when you were not looking out for yourself. Think of the past that God does not expect you to be perfect. He does expect you to love him.

Take a good look back. Be careful not to put your foot in all the mud holes of the past. Be careful not to point fingers at others for their failures. Be careful that you do not see only your faults and failures. Look back with gentleness. See the good times. See the laughter. See the times of adventure. See the times when your heart was light and life was full of excitement. See the friends. See the times that God opened doors. Take a good look. When you look carefully you are sure to see that God has always been there. He has not failed you. He has always come through.

Looking back is not trying to put your foot into the river again at the same place. It is not trying to bring back the past. Looking back is a healthy process of review . Good memories are re-energized. Tough times are sifted for lessons. A refinement occurs that packages the past into a product that can be carried without burden into tomorrow.

Remember when looking back, God has angels watching over you (Exodus 23:20-23). Remember when looking back that every time you detoured the path God sent correction to get you back on track.

Here you are. Be thankful for the present. Be thankful that you can read this letter. If you are blind and someone else is reading it, be thankful that you have ears to hear.

Being thankful is better than putting your foot into the river twice at the same point, even if it were possible.

Now, stand up on top of the past. Look into the future. God has plans for you.

Grateful for the road behind,

Pastor Bare

Jeremiah 29:11