When the past shouldn’t be past

The word baggage took on an additional meaning at some point this century. Beyond what we used to carry our personal items in (such as a suitcase, duffle bag or carry on), baggage became a heavy, burdensome weight we carry emotionally.

This kind of baggage isn’t good, according to therapists. Our culture agrees. In fact, we are to rid ourselves of any difficult or troubling experience. Travel light is the welcomed norm these days. Easy breezy. Don’t order the whole meal. Select À la carte.

Old wounds and old scars should stay just that—old.

Okay.

Or okay—sort of.

I was caught last week when a respected Methodist Bishop I know was writing her New Year’s message. “A new year has begun,” she wrote. “The path forward, with its many twists and turns, is yet unknown. How will we enter this journey? Let’s decide to travel light, letting go of the past and any unnecessary baggage…”

I get the gist. I get the desired mentality, too. Skip along. Be happy. Don’t let teardrops fall.

But why let go of the past? Yes, pressing on a bruise is going to hurt, but the past, even the painful points of the past, is information. I don’t think it should ever go away.

Like the star the magi followed that led them to meeting Jesus, the long-expected Messiah, the past is a part of who we are.

It is true. The magi did leave their homes. These well-educated, adventuresome souls followed a star in the East. Their specific path, with what could have been many twists and turns, was unknown.

The therapists I mentioned, along with our good friends, will say there are good days in this healing and wellness process of twists and turns. In grief, for example, there are days and perhaps even good weeks where the loss isn’t so painful.

Then, too, we don’t need a therapist or good friend to tell us there are also not so good days or weeks in this healing and wellness process.

For good mental health, we should rid our souls of debilitating places. But do we—and should we—let go of the past?

If the past is going to hurt the present or the future, yes, it’s gotta go. If, however, the past is going to positively inform the present and future, nope, it may well be something to keep around.

I think the past is something to keep around as a reminder. We don’t have to live in a troublesome yesterday, but we shouldn’t forget it all together.

Scripture helps with this. In Joshua 3 and 4, the people of Israel are on the move to the Promised Land. They reach the Jordan River. Since it’s the harvest season, the banks of the Jordan are overflowing. The river’s typical 100-foot width is a raging mile-wide impasse.

The priests carrying the Arc of the Covenant set foot into the high-speed water. Suddenly, the water ceases.

After the people of Israel supernaturally cross the Jordan, God commands Joshua to choose twelve travelers, one from each tribe. These twelve take the twelve stones from the priests who are standing in the middle of the now dry Jordan. Like Moses and the Red Sea, the people cross on dry ground. In fact, the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant remain in the middle of the riverbed until the whole nation passes.

The twelve stones become an endearing and enduring memorial. Rather than forget this part of their past because it is troublesome, God’s people create a testament to Yahweh, the God who works wonders on behalf of His people.

Don’t forget your past. Use it to make your future.

As with the people of Israel at the Jordan, God still works wonders. Trust this on your journey forward.