Daily Meditation: "Looking Back"

SCRIPTURE

Aaron the priest went up Mount Hor at the command of the Lord and died there in the fortieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month. Aaron was one hundred twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor. - Numbers 33:38-39

REFLECTION

Can you imagine what it would be like to look back at a lifetime of 123 years? Some of us may get close to that, but 123 is up there.

2020 has been a year of tremendous loss. As I sit and write this (remembering that I write these on Mondays) the global death number sits at 1,196,362. In the US, the death toll number is 229,932. Far too many this year have had the experience of looking back at their lives, and far more are yet to come, I fear.

Such a horrific reality might move us to look back at our own lives. What have we done? How well have we done it? What do we wish we could have done better? How might we live out the rest of our days better and as best we can?

We spoke in our 9 am class this past week about our God being a God of second chances. When we look back, we’re all bound to see things we wish we could do differently, or not have done at all. Yet God offers us forgiveness and the promise that we can also look ahead and live lives more fully in accord with our better angels.

When 2020 finally comes to a close at the end of next month, we will be doing a lot of looking back and coming to grips with a tremendous amount of loss. As we honor those who have left us and mourn for them and their loved ones, let us take the opportunity to also look back at ourselves and look ahead at a more hope-filled, compassionate Tomorrow.

PRAYER

God of Vision, grant us forgiveness and reconciliation when we look behind us, as well as courage and inspiration as we look ahead.

Amen.

Peace,

Shawn