Have you ever looked at photos of yourself from high school or college? You may see a hairstyle that defied gravity, or an outfit that looked like a tragic collision at a thrift store. At the time, you thought you were the height of fashion; now, you’re not so sure. So often, from the perspective of years, we look back and think, “Why did no one stop me?” Of course, they all have the same photos in their past, so….
That’s the funny thing about life. We’re forced to make massive decisions—like choosing a career, buying a house, and starting a family—when we’re young and don’t have all the information. We can only live life moving forward, half blind and guessing at what comes next. It’s only when we look backward that the dots finally connect. If only we could live life with the wisdom of an 80-year-old and the knees of a 20-year-old!
The philosopher Søren Kierkegaard captured this paradox when he wrote: “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” It feels a bit unfair, doesn’t it?
But Scripture offers a different perspective in Proverbs 16:9: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” We want a fully mapped-out GPS route for our lives, while God gives us a flashlight dimly lighting the next three inches in front of us. None of us has the privilege of living life in reverse. We walk forward one step at a time, trusting a God who sees the whole path.
Looking back often reveals God’s fingerprints in places where, at the time, we saw only confusion. The disappointments that felt unbearable became moments of growth. Closed doors redirected us toward unexpected blessings. One day you may understand what today can’t explain. Until then, faith keeps walking.
Living forwards requires faith. It means trusting that even when today feels chaotic, confusing, or completely uncoordinated, it will eventually make sense in the rearview mirror. You don’t need to understand the whole tapestry right now; you just need to be faithful to the single thread you’re holding today.
Prayer: God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, help me trust You with the chapters I do not yet understand. Lead me faithfully into whatever comes next. Amen.
