Anything Good?

Why is it when you get older that you think your glory days or your past were the best days of your life. I was there and at the time I did not think those days were full of glory at all, in fact just the opposite. Sometimes I did not think I would get through some of those days. Here is an example of what I mean. I watched my only son go through an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. He got what is known as spinal meningitis at two and a half years of age from a day care facility. I watched him get a shot in his back and from where I stood it was a large needle and looked like he was in pain getting that shot. On top of that I never saw him again for twenty-seven years.

Another example is from my semi-truck driving days and I remember looking across the median strip in front of me, at night, on a long stretch of hiway. This hiway had two lanes in each direction and I saw headlights in that median strip from the other side of the hiway coming right at me and my truck. This other set of headlights belonged to another truck that apparently fell asleep at the wheel and was on a path to hit me. The only reason he did not hit me was a dip in the median that turned the truck on its side. But he came close enough for me to put on my brakes to avoid him and his truck which was too close for any comfort.

Maybe we think those days were better because they are behind us and we got through them somehow and lived to fight again. I tell you one thing life is hard and the quicker you get used to that fact the better you will do in it. I know looking back at my life at one point in it when I was very young I thought I would not live past thirty years old. But in fact I did because I will be seventy soon and can hardly believe it. I could go on to list so many examples of the perils of life that I have been through but it would be foolish to do so at this point. I am sure that many who read what I have said can relate in some way to it even if you are not a senior in life yet.

So I ask this question of myself when I reflect on those days of the past, “Anything good in it? I have to answer that I am still here and for the most part enjoying life very much. A scripture comes to mind too, it is found in Romans 8 verse 28 and says, “And we know that God cause all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (NASV) What an outlook on life! It comes from Paul one of the authors of the New Testament and he had many battles in this life too. In fact, he was beheaded at the end of it. There was a time in my life that I never understood what the word of God said, let alone read it. But for the last several years I have read it diligently and I understand it much better since I gave all lordship of my life to Christ Jesus. Everyday I and my Lord walk together and He continues to show me what He wants me to do next. This is so much easier than trying to walk alone in life. Romans eight throughly explains the context of the verse I mentioned if you are interested in more on the subject.

As I look forward to this new year coming up I will say, “Is there anything good in what has passed?” I will answer yes wholeheartedly! Although, I am not out on the road like I was I made it through driving on it thirty years safely. I have had my relationship restored with my only son and now have six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. I have been married four times and my last wife is my last wife, now for seventeen years. I have lived a difficult but very full life and for that I am thankful.

I now look forward to what is ahead as Paul put it. “Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) I think this is the right perspective towards my past. I never thought in a million years that I would have this much of a past to look back on or have a God given prospective. I am still a sinner but one who has been saved from eternal damnation by the grace of God by putting my faith in Christ Jesus. To those who have not yet made this decision to give their life over to the lordship of Christ Jesus I for one implore you to do so you will never be sorry you did. I have been walking with Him now for thirty-five years and even though life is still hard you have someone who walks with you everyday and knows exactly all the things you need in each and everyday of life. He has created us all for His glorious purposes.