Many People spend their lives dwelling in a different time than the present. It begins with the “I’ll Be Happy When...” game: “when I get my driver’s license, graduate from school, get married, have kids, retire, then I’ll be happy.” When retirement arrives, the focus shifts from the future to the past, and the “Good ‘Ole Days” game is played. “I wish it was like the good old days when: the kids were home, I had more energy, my life was busy and full, etc.” Selective memory kicks in-the bad is forgotten and only the good is remembered.

The Israelites fell into this trap. Enduring terrible oppression in Egypt, they cried out and looked forward to their freedom. Yet it wasn’t long after their deliverance that they longed for “the good ‘ole days” back in Egypt, the misery and suffering forgotten.

The source of this mentality is discontent and a lack of trust in God to provide everything we need. God’s plans for the present cannot be accomplished through us when our focus is concentrated on the past or the future. Let’s be content and happy where we are today so that God can use us to the fullest in His kingdom.