Yesterday

Written by cycleguy on October 6th, 2014

In my years as a pastor (over 40) one constant has been there for all those years. In fact, I am seeing it more and more the older I get. No not the lack of hair or any other part of the aging process. 🙂

One constant I have seen is the struggle people have with “yesterday.” Not yesterday as in, the day just passed, but yesterday as in “the past.” Several years ago Pillar did a song called “Secrets and Regrets” which dealt with that theme. I certainly can’t put my finger on why, but it seems like dealing with the past (or holding onto the past depending on your perspective) is becoming more of an issue these days. Sometimes I feel as though hardly a week goes by where I have not had some dealings with someone’s past.

Maybe it is the proliferation of sexual abuse which is so rampant right now.

Maybe it is people trying to find “peace” and come to grips with their past.

I don’t know. So many possible reasons for it.

What I do know is this: people are hurting and carrying a ton of that hurt inside. Some are seeking relief and release from the pain. I want to be there for them…to help them and to point them to THE ANSWER…Jesus.

This past Thursday night I was listening to some new music on YouTube. Jo wonders about me. She says I ought to act my age. (As if that is going to happen any time soon). My music selection is so far apart from hers. This is the group and song I was listening to. I know it probably isn’t most of your cup of tea so here is the link to the lyrics.

There is hope for all the ugly yesterdays…for the ugly today’s…and for all the ugly tomorrows as well.

Why do you think this is more of an issue today? What are you doing to help?

 

 

18 Comments so far ↓

  1. Jeff says:

    I guess I don’t see it as more of a problem today than it has always been. I am sure people are hurting in different situations. But that has always been.
    Not sure why you think it is any different now than in the past.
    I think if Jesus were going to answer those problems it wouldn’t have taken 2000 years to get it done.
    It’s just life.

    • cycleguy says:

      Maybe it is because I am more aware of it and hear more of it than I used to. As for Jesus: He has always been there and has been helping and meeting people’s needs for all those years. I know that sounds cheesy but not sure how else to say it. 🙂

  2. The past is so powerful. The slightest thing sets memories off.

  3. Betty Draper says:

    I sort of agree with Jeff, life has always been there. With social media of all sorts it’s just easier to get our hurts out there. It’s easier to hear someone tell us we need to get it all out there. The one thing I see lacking is the telling of the one who can heal all hurts. I did not say He would take them away, but He will heal them, past, present and future ones if we just will give them to Him. He did tell us, in this world you will have trials and tribulations. And here is the kicker, He did not come to die for our hurt, He came to die for our sin. And someday, yes someday He will end all hurts. But until then…well, I will just continue to share the good news, Jesus saves, Jesus save.

    • cycleguy says:

      I can’t say I disagree with Jeff. I don’t. But as I said, maybe it is because I am more aware of it. Life has a way of “getting in your face” until you can’t pass things up. I also agree with you about Jesus.

  4. the Old Adam says:

    I agree with Jeff.

    It has always been a problem as long as there have been sinners.

    Sin…it’s the gift that just keeps on giving!

    But Christ Jesus follows behind us…sweeping up all those rotten sins. Let Him have them. He bought and paid for ’em.

    • cycleguy says:

      No argument here Stephen. I know sin has been and always will be here. Maybe it is becoming more public than before. Maybe people are becoming bolder.

  5. Daniel says:

    I don’t know if this is more of an issue today than in the past, but I know that I am one who struggles with living in the past. No matter how hard I have tried to leave it behind, it just won’t stay gone. Coulda, woulda, shoulda …

  6. Ben Nelson says:

    Great song with a strong message.

  7. Rick Dawson says:

    The reasons are likely multi-determined; there may be an increase in the volume, but the types of noise have been there all along. Consider the period of our childhood, which, in our naivety we thought of the world as a “safer” place, then layer in the fact that child abuse was happening then, sexual abuse was happening then – name the sin, and it was happening then (OK, internet porn wasn’t, but its predecessor has been around a lot longer).

    • cycleguy says:

      you bring many of the causes into the equation Rick. Maybe it is the internet porn explosion which is having an effect. Then again, maybe it is just people speaking up.

  8. Steve says:

    My opinion is that this is just as much an issue today as in the past. There is an old adage that “time heals all wounds.” That is wrong. Only Jesus heals our wounds. When we are wounded, something happens and part of ourselves is halted/trapped back in that point in time. I think it satan’s way of trying to keep us from God’s plan for us. But when we bring our wounds to Jesus, he heals us. Our only part in the healing process is to tell Jesus about what’s hurting us.

    • cycleguy says:

      You are right Steve about the adage. I am not a fan of it at all. I prefer Jesus as well. Only He brings complete healing, and even then it often takes time. Thanks for coming by.

  9. Karen says:

    I REALLY struggle with the past sometimes. I always try to remember something I heard in a “meeting”. Don’t dwell on the past for my name is not Yesterday. Don’t worry about the future for my name is not Tomorrow. (You know what’s coming, don’t you?) Live for right now for my name is I AM!

  10. The past is something that has a profound effect on us – and it’s something we can’t change. It makes sense that it’s something we struggle with so much.