Billy Joel, my favorite musical artist, was widely known as the Angry Young Man. There is just something in his music that speaks to me, this strange combination of tough guy social critic, and classical pianist/pop singer. Let’s just say I can relate to someone who finds that his life is not quite what he expected. What speaks to me most, though, is the way his music has evolved over the years to reflect the changes in his life. While he seems to appreciate where he started, he doesn’t seem to dwell there, or over-romanticize the past. In his song, Keeping the Faith, he sings:
You can get just so much from a good thing
You can linger too long in your dreams
Say goodbye to the oldies but goodies
Cause the good ole days weren’t always good
And tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.
The words from this song have taken up residence in my brain recently. I’ve reached an age where I have more past than future, and I’ll admit that I wasted several years pondering past decisions and feeding past regrets. I’ve even imagined having a heart-to-heart conversation with my younger self, and I think she probably would have been none too pleased with me. Lately, though, God has been working on my heart and mind, and I feel like He is revealing some basic truths to me. Maybe they will help you see a different perspective as well, if you have been “getting lost in let’s remember.” (Also lyrics to Keeping the Faith.)
First, we cannot reinvent the past, and really, why would we want to? Yes, we made bad decisions and have regrets, some of which still impact our lives today, but we have to remember the lessons learned from those past mistakes have made us wiser. If our rear view mirror is rose-tinted, though, we may need to remind ourselves that those days had problems of their own. Second, we have no control over the future–tomorrow is promised to no one! Looking toward the future is not a bad thing, but we can spend so much time running through every possible scenario that we end up preparing for a dreaded outcome that never arrives. We are not in control, but we serve a God who is and who loves us enough to plan for our future. Finally, if we can’t alter the past, or control the future, it is clear that what we must do is manage today. Each morning is a gift, a new opportunity to experience God’s faithfulness and place our hope in Him. The only question we need to concern ourselves with is how will we use today to further God’s kingdom.
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”
Lamentations 3:23
In God’s Love,
Kim
