When You Look Back, Who Do You See?
Looking back is not always easy, but it can be helpful.
For some of you reading these words, looking back is the last thing you want to do — because when you look back, there's pain. There's hurt, disappointment, and frustration. For some, what you see are past failures, whether your own or others', that left a lasting scar.
Again, looking back is not always easy — but it can be helpful. And here's why I say that. As Tristan (my oldest son) and I continue working our way through God's Word on this six-month journey we've been on together, I just finished the Old Testament. And one of the recurring themes for the people of God was this: not looking back and lingering on their own unfaithfulness to God but choosing to remember the faithfulness of God as they looked back.
So let me pause and ask you something.
When you look back, WHO do you see?
For the sake of clarity — there's a massive difference between WHO and WHAT. I'm not asking what you see. I'm asking WHO.
Since I'm the one asking, I'll go ahead and answer first. I see me. I don't like that I see me, but truth be told, I see a whole lot of me…
things I should have done…
things I should not have done…
things I think others should have done for me…
things people did that hurt me.
And herein lies the problem.
If when I look back, I see a whole lot of me — well, when I begin to look forward, not surprisingly, I see more of me…
things I hope to do…
things I hope to stop doing…
things I want others to do for me…
things I hope others never do to me again.
Now that I've given you a glimpse into how self-centered I can be — let me ask you again…
When you look back, WHO you see? More of you… or more of God?
One of the last books I read in the Old Testament was Nehemiah — we're reading chronologically. Nehemiah is largely a book about encouraging the exiles who were returning to Jerusalem after decades in Babylon.
And toward the end of the book, Nehemiah reminds the people of God of this transformational truth…
"You have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word."
— Nehemiah 9:8 (NLT)
When Nehemiah looked back, he was reminded afresh of the faithfulness of God — that God will always do what He says He will do.
And here's what I want to encourage you with today.
What if the next time you look back, instead of cataloging everything you did or didn't do — everything others did or didn't do — you simply prayed…
“LORD, help me to see You.”
Something I need to remind myself of… maybe you as well…
God has been faithful even in the chapters you're most ashamed of.
God has been faithful in the seasons that felt most silent.
God has been faithful in the detours, the delays, and the disappointments.
The people of God in the Old Testament had a habit of forgetting. And yet the call of Scripture, over and over again, is to remember.
We are NOT called to rehearse our failures, but to remember His faithfulness.
We are NOT called to replay our regrets, but to recall ALL of His promises kept.
Before you move on to the next thing in your day, take a moment to look back — but this time, ask the LORD to help you see Him. Ask Him to show you how He has been faithful to you in every moment, of every day. And when you begin to see His relentless faithfulness looking back, let it fuel how you walk with Him today and tomorrow — trusting that the God who has always been faithful, will continue to be who He is… FAITHFUL.
