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Do We Look Back Or Look Ahead?

The great American baseball player Satchel Paige once said in jest, “Don’t look back “” something may be gaining on you.” In contrast, George Santayana, a Spanish-born American author said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

So which is it? Do we move on, never looking back, or do we dwell on our past errors to avoid making them again?

Scripture seems to indicate that we should do a little of both. We do need to think back on our lives and learn from our mistakes. That’s part of the process when we confess our sins and ask God for forgiveness (1 John 1:9). We need to think about our disobedience long enough to seek God’s mercy and then choose to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Forgiveness is God’s way of clearing the slate, but it’s our responsibility to avoid repeating the errors of the past. For example, the apostle Paul acknowledged his past mistakes and then focused on becoming more like Christ (Philippians 3:13-14).

So, is it best for us to look back or to look ahead? We would be wise to do a little of both: We need to look back for forgiveness, then look ahead, focusing on Christ and the “milk of the word” for future spiritual growth (Proverbs 4:23-27; cf. Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:1-2).

More like the Master I would live and grow,
More of His love to others I would show;
More self-denial like His in Galilee,
More like the Master I long to ever be. “”Gabriel