How Did You Get Here?

I’m not ususally one to reminisce about the past. I did often think that it was a sign of not growing, just looking back at the “good old days.” The mentality of today is to keep your eyes on the future, your dreams, your hope, and your goals. But there is value in looking back. After all, “this is your life. Are you who you want to be?” (song by Switchfoot).

We should look back to connect the dots of where we have been to where we are now.  We look back to help explain how we came to the place that we are now (physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually). The bible does this a lot. Each gospel account of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) describes how things started out or how Jesus fulfilled prophecy of hundreds of years before. The Bible as a whole is a story, a narrative of the development of humanity and God.  My favorite New Testament book, Ephesians, does this right from the beginning. Paul talks about how he was an apostle “by the will of God.” Paul talks about how God has worked from the beginning of time for our salvation.  Paul is connecting the dots for us. And I like how Paul puts it in Ephesians 2:10. Check out the NIV and Message version:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV)

“No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.” (MESSAGE)

This passage talks about our lives before Christ and how God has brought us salvation.  It also talks about what this salvation then brings.  Salvation is not the end.  It’s a point along a great journey.  For those of us who believe in Christ as the Lord of our lives and the Savior of our sins, we are God’s piece of work.  Each day is not just “another day, another dollar.” Each year is not to be a repeat of the one before.  Events, experiences, and relationships all play into God working in us, through us and with us to do the things He has already designed and prepared for us to do.

That blows my mind to think that not only does He care and love enough to die for my sins, but He cares and loves enough to work with me, develop me and allow me to be a part of His great work. Look back over this past year and see the events, experiences, relationships and things you’ve learned that helped shape you into what you believe and why you are who you are today.  These things will help drive your desires and passions.  These things help you understand and watch for the experiences, opportunities and relationships that God could be preparing you to do His great work in this next year.  And if you want to get crazy, begin to look further back in your life to see God’s handiwork in you over the long haul and perhaps, even over the generations.