May 12, 2020
Hindsight is 20/20
“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder the things of the past….Isaiah 43: 18
In Joseph Ellis’s book, “American Sphinx, the Character of Thomas Jefferson,” he writes: “The comfortable porch that hindsight provides…..”
We’ve heard plenty of times the expression: “Hindsight is 20/20,” meaning, of course, it’s easy to say what should have been done after it’s already happened. But when we are in the middle of making important decisions we have only ourselves to decide the proper course of action. Without the benefit of history, all of us are left to our own instincts and prayers to decide which way to go. Sometimes our decisions are good, sometimes they aren’t. But we know we shouldn’t dwell on the past.
The Pandemic has brought this issue to light. Agree or disagree with decisions that have been made, it’s helpful to remember that most of us have had the “comfortable porch that hindsight provides.” This is not to say we can’t offer an opinion on the past, but, most importantly, we can embrace the attitude of moving forward and helping in whatever ways we possibly can. The 19th century American poet, Emily Dickinson, wrote: “I dwell in possibility.”
Similar to what the Lord said in Isaiah: “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder the things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth……….I will make even roadways in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
Prayer: Father in heaven, teach us to build up one another and to look to the future as we move forward together in these tremendously challenging times. In Your name we pray. Amen.
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