Barbara and I recently enjoyed visiting our son and family in Wisconsin and while there had the privilege of visiting a state park known as “Old World Wisconsin.” This is a 576 acre park in which many Wisconsin buildings, dating back to the 1800’s, were dismantled piece by piece and reconstructed for the public to enjoy. Frankly it is a little reminiscent of our own Columbia State Park with a slightly different flavor. The buildings were placed in various ethnic neighborhoods, including, African-American, German and other European nations, and each is an accurate representation of those communities in the early nineteenth century.
As fun as such a visit is, and as interesting as it is to look into the past, we realize these immigrants led hard lives. Living in what was a wilderness; planting gardens with only hand tools and toughing it out in sub zero winters. All without utilities and most without any trained medical personnel. Life was tough.
The Bible offers a very interesting insight regarding the past. The context has to do with perfection, and Paul states: “I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it (perfection) yet; but one thing I do: forgetting the past and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal…” (Phil. 3:14-14a). Many people have had very difficult and even haunting pasts; perhaps you are one of them, but the words of Paul should be very comforting. Instead of brooding over our past we need to focus on the future, and what God has in store for us. We need to press on toward God’s goal for our lives which, by the way, includes the promise that one day we will be perfected in the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. NOW THAT’S A GOAL!
I love being pastor of the Journey church! If you're looking for a truly loving and caring group of people, why not be our guest!
Pastor Jim
As fun as such a visit is, and as interesting as it is to look into the past, we realize these immigrants led hard lives. Living in what was a wilderness; planting gardens with only hand tools and toughing it out in sub zero winters. All without utilities and most without any trained medical personnel. Life was tough.
The Bible offers a very interesting insight regarding the past. The context has to do with perfection, and Paul states: “I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it (perfection) yet; but one thing I do: forgetting the past and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal…” (Phil. 3:14-14a). Many people have had very difficult and even haunting pasts; perhaps you are one of them, but the words of Paul should be very comforting. Instead of brooding over our past we need to focus on the future, and what God has in store for us. We need to press on toward God’s goal for our lives which, by the way, includes the promise that one day we will be perfected in the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. NOW THAT’S A GOAL!
I love being pastor of the Journey church! If you're looking for a truly loving and caring group of people, why not be our guest!
Pastor Jim