Auld Lang Syne: The Past Is Behind You

The song “Auld Lang Syne” originated in Scotland, composed as a light-hearted drinking song. The lyrics celebrate reminiscing with old friends the memories of the past, sharing a drink for good measure. Nostalgia can be an enemy to growth, because if we revel in our past we cannot let go. As Christians we should always strive for perfection, that means “out with the old, in with the new.” As this year ends, do we really want to live in a past where fear dominated the headlines with the “Covid-19” pandemic?

Sure, we may have gotten a promotion at work, or we may have experienced a romantic relationship that seemed too good to be true at first sight, but those things are temporal, and if not living in obedience to the Lord, often fall to ruin. Once upon a time, I was a broken woman that always felt as though something was missing. I was in misery I could not understand but I liked the friends I had even if they were bad for me. “Hell is full of good intentions and wishes” as Saint Bernard of Clairvaux has wrote. I never once thought to equate bad company to how I felt or was living, but now I know as a saved, born-again Christian. 1 Corinthian 15:33-34—”Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits. Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.”

If I were to look back through my personal history, I would never have been longing for the “old me,” the darkness I was set free from and trials I have overcome. I have no regrets from my past for all the bad, nor do I hold fast to the good times because today I make new memories. I have yet to live my best days when they get better each day, I grow closer to Christ. Ecclesiastes 3:11—”He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”

We all have a time: from the moment of creation to our judgment, every event will impact us in some way. Every experience both good and bad are a reference for later, we can use it to later help others just as God used it for his glory. Romans 12:2—”And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Before we invited the Holy Spirit in, we had sinful hearts eager to be of the world. After salvation, we are inspired to make changes in our lives. Acts 3:19—”Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” This is a renewal of strength, of faith, love, and hope. Every year we grow stronger in our relationship with Jesus, he continues to bring transformation, first our hearts then our shirts.

In 2017, I was pregnant and married to an unfaithful drug addict, but today I am happily married to the same man with two beautiful baby girls. He is no longer as broken as he was. I am no longer as broken as I was. He may have once wronged me, but love holds no record of wrong and we love because of 1^st John 4:19—”We love him because He first loved us.” God’s unconditional love for us leads us to love Him, then in turn we learn how to love one another in the way he has taught. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7—”Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

God healed all wounds in His timing and mended all that was broken. Our lives have been made new just as we are new creations. As we end this chapter, we won’t forget but we will look forward to the “first day of the rest of our lives,” because it’s a new year, we are delivered from the oldness. Let the old man die and the new man thrive!