Nostalgia Warning: Remembering God's Goodness

If you haven't already gathered from many of the blogs on this website, I'm a tad bit nostalgic.

On a walk recently, I got thinking of all the small adventures I've had in life. Nothing crazy really. Many a solo hike in Shenandoah or other parks. I even briefly thought of what the top three might be. But it's a tough choice, maybe something I can write about at another date.

Then, I got thinking about life in a broader sense. My spiritual life and those adventures as well.

It was sixteen years ago that I first taught a Bible study. Not that I had any business doing so at the time. Trial by fire, I suppose.

And of course, these are times of joy.

But as I have probably said before, nostalgia can easily turn into idolatry, in its own way.

The past wasn't perfect.

As always, we have to avoid the ditches on both sides of it. I can focus too much on the good of the past and get lost in it, forgetting the opportunities God has afforded me this day.

Or, I can get stuck on the bad times and forget God's goodness.

Which, frankly, I think is a large reason to be nostalgic: to remember God's goodness.

Isn't He what made the "good ole days" good in the first place?

We must be careful, however, that our reminiscing of "good times" is actually looking back on something objectively good.

In other words, if your "good ole days" are something sinful, then it is not good, nor something to long for. But it can be an opportunity to recognize God's grace. We certainly should praise Him for that.

But if it is genuinely good, then let it lead towards praise to God for His goodness in your life.

What about the not-so-good times? Well, I admit that's a toughie.

I don't want to be trite or overly simplistic in my answer. I have to fall back on Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:28, however.

I know some of the dumb and difficult moments of my past, while miserable, have led me to where I am now (for better or worse, admittedly).

But I can say with confidence that God had and has a purpose.

What that is, I can't say for sure. But He knows what it is.

So, nostalgia. It's an interesting feeling. I don't think it's something I'm gonna quit anytime soon; I'm just a thoughtful person sometimes. But may you and I both remember to have an eternal focus even as we remember yesteryear.