Learn the lessons of the past to build a better future

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14: The cost of forgetting the past is a high one because if you forget the past, you miss out on the opportunity to build upon a strong foundation. Now be very careful, as there are those who remember the past and use it as a weapon to bring painful memories to the fore, which only fosters hate and division.

The past is too powerful and important to allow it to be used as a battering ram of hatred. No, the past and its powerful realities should stand as a catapult, propelling the present generation into a brighter future. Indeed, there must be a healthy balance between honouring the foundation of the past and pressing towards a better tomorrow.

Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, had to deal with such a situation. In his presence, were a group of people who were younger than his generation and knew little of the past struggles of the Israelites when they were captive in Egypt. No, the younger generation had never experienced the whip of Egypt, the hand of the taskmaster, the walk through the Red Sea, or the walk through the wilderness.

Forgetful

Unfortunately, Joshua saw a younger generation who had lost respect for the God of the forefathers. They had forgotten that it was God who had kept them while in bondage and that it was God who had taken them out of bondage. Oh, to forget is a sad thing…

Before Joshua left the earth, he did what he knew must be done as the senior person and leader. Joshua reminded the people of where they had come from and that they should be thankful for what God had done for them. Joshua had already seen the impact of his people (the younger folks) forgetting God.  They were running wild; they were doing just what they should have been taught not to do.

Legacy

Joshua decided that he was going to leave the earth with clean hands. 

Joshua 24:26 And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the Lord.

27 And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.

Joshua would rest in peace, for he relayed to the people, his last will and testament. Joshua set up a memorial plaque, to remind the people of the goodness of God towards them and their ancestors. 

Statues and inscribed stones are important, as those memories, etched in stone, ought to bring an appreciation for what others went through. 

What is clear is that Joshua saw before his very own eyes people who had lost their mind because they had lost their memory, and were headed right back into another place of captivity.

Vision passed on

Joshua spoke forth truth and re-established truth in the sight of the people. The vision had been written, and it was up to the people to read the vision and run with it.

Bermuda, how can you tell if the vision has been successfully passed on? You can tell by how you see the children “running” and where they are running. Like in Joshua’s day, it is time today to tell the story of the goodness of God again in the island of Bermuda. Why? The future of your seed depends upon it. Respice finem -— keep the end in view.