Look back, but not in anger

This is the last Sunday before the New Year and it seems a good time to take a look back . . . but why? What do we hope to accomplish by looking backwards? Aren’t we supposed to be living in the moment? How does looking backward work with mindfulness?

First and foremost, let’s not fall into the error of thinking living in the moment, being mindful, means we don’t look back at the past or plan for the future. Being mindful means living in the day you have rather than ignoring what is before you in favour of the past or the future. If we don’t know where we have come from it is very hard for us to be able to know where we are going or even where we can go. Looking back helps us see trends that might suggest where we are going, looking back helps us remember what we have learned and who taught us. Looking back allows us to be properly thankful to God and for all the people who have helped us get to where we are. Looking back can be an encouragement for us to keep moving forward.

Give the sermons a listen and let me know if I was able to help you see why looking back can help you look forward.

“Look back to look forward” Knox Presbyterian (to download, right click and select “Save Link As . . .”)