Dear Tom:
I watched the last episode of Masterpiece Theatre’s Any Human Heart last night on PBS. One of the main character’s many lovers asked him to remember, “ It’s not about looking back, it’s about looking ahead.” Her admonition hit home to me.
I found myself engaging in a little bit of “what if’s” as I walked on the beach one time last week. I started beating myself up about God entrusting me with so much and my breaching that trust. I could feel myself starting to spiral downward like a giant auger drill digging a hole in the ground. Fortunately, a wave hit my ankles as I had wandered too close to the icy waters, and the surprise of the wave rescued me. As I resumed my walk, I realized that God continues to entrust us, even when we fail the first, second, or third time with the talents he gives each of us. I reminded myself that he had entrusted me with a new organ, and I have an obligation to its donor, myself, and God to make good use of this trust.
It is tempting as we mature to begin to look back on our past success and failures and to spend more and more time reminiscing. We slow down and our body parts don’t seem to want to move as easily or as quickly, so we visualize our past rather than participate. That is not what God intends. He expects us to visit the bank where we have stored our talents and make a withdrawal. We may be entrusted with something different or something we have kept hidden away, but it’s time to “dig it up” and put it to use. “It’s not about looking back its about looking ahead.”
Your Friend, Webb
Leave a Reply +