That Old, Familiar Pain
Some things come to pass, and some come to stay. Even when the most vivid reminders fade, they are always there, and the waking memory serves to goad the wandering thought. I recently heard the story of a man with such memory dysfunction as to never be able to forget. He bore his burden for many years until the grief overcame him, and he took his own life. Such is the power of remorse and the burden of years.
Memories also bring the sweet ache. We wonder what things might have been if only… These memories are treasured thoughts and akin to wistful longings. They contain unrequited wish-fulfillment rather than regret. They hurt, but they, also, warm the heart. We long to return to a time and place which desire can never be. Occasionally, someone will try and replicate the past only to be disheartened in the failed attempt.
Each of us carries an array of hurts and haunting memories that frequently arise and give us pause. Some of these things are hard to explain and, normally, misunderstood when told, sooo…what’s the use. We can’t outrun the past, and the familiar phantoms remain, not far from present reality. Our minds wander the back roads by the river of memory, and we find wealth and wisdom from the journey.
Our past is to be committed to Christ as much as our future. Whether the thoughts of yesterday bring joy or pain, they are in the hands of the Father. Hurts from the past can be instructive, and the burned hand teaches best. I, sometimes, wonder, if we could do away with our painful memories, would we? Those things have gone a long way toward making us what we are. Great good can come from great grief.
Dealing with hurts takes more than bumper-sticker wisdom, and it’s not as easy as the songs (or your friends) say. It’s hard to commit things to Christ when they (and we) keep getting up off the altar. A continual process of contrition is needed to address recurrent themes. Though it sounds daunting, it’s not as bad as all that if we approach it the right way. We must take a firm stance before we address the ball.
Victory for the Christian is only possible when the life for Christ is the only thing that matters. Only when we live in, are submerged in, Christ are we able to confront the shifting sands of life. He is able to do everything He claims He can do, but we must do what we can do, as well. And, each day, we are making memories to treasure or regret. While we cannot escape the past, we don’t have to live in it.
Jeremiah said that God plans for us to have hope and a future. Great sadness can be the result of thinking of what was. There is value in remembrance, but God wants us to look ahead. You and I run out of plans, but God never does. And He knows what will happen. Weep in secret, but do much more. Wipe the tears from your eyes and take the hand of God. You’ve got places to go and people to see. A future tailor-made for you.
Sterl
« Go back