Back in Black(adder)

Last night I settled down with my Blackadder DVD Box Set. Any of you who lived through the 1980s will remember this tv programme; a fictional character called 'Edmund Blackadder' who lived during different times in history and who's cynical take on life was as razor sharp as some of his 'get rich quick', schemes. I remember watching this the first time around and laughing so hard at the jokes which would promptly be memorised and then repeated back ad nauseam in school the next day. I selected Season 2, set in the Elizabethan era and watched through a few episodes. Sadly, it was not as funny as I remembered it and I have been reflecting on our natural tendency to look back on previous seasons and times in our lives with the proverbial 'rose-tinted spectacles'.

Today in the Office, someone had found a stack of old photos from the earlier days of the Church and we were looking through them and, to be honest, laughing a lot at quite a few as some much younger and slimmer versions of today's older models were smiling back in these pictures. All the memories of the 'good old days' came flooding back but the truth be known; those days were no better than these days! Just recently, I was praying and felt God remind me again not to look back but continue to look forward. There are numerous references in the Bible about fixing our focus on the future and not allowing memories of the past to become idols (Isaiah 43:18-19, Luke 9:62, Philippians 3:13, Hebrews 12:2). A focus on the past will produce fruit that is neither relevant or real. Some people recount the same old stories of God's work that goes back years and yet have nothing from this week or even this year; they represent a 'good old days' mentality. Clearly, we thank God for all He does and we must remember what He has taught us about Himself through our life experiences in the past but we should have something fresh on our lips as God is always doing something fresh and new today.

Think about your own life today; are you harking back to the 'good old days' that weren't that good when you watch them through again? Have you set up altars to past works and moves of God but have forgotten that He is the same yesterday today and forever?

There is a 'today' dynamic that should be part of who we are in God NOW. Pray it through with the Lord and see what He brings to mind.