YOU CAN’T OUTRUN YOUR PAST
I can’t say for sure when I first heard the old adage, but it was early on. It was one of those sayings that sticks in your head. “You can’t outrun your past,” I heard someone say. Being naturally contrary, I set out to prove them wrong.
The most reckless of days are fading in my memory like paint in the Arizona desert. I’m okay with it. There are some things I’ve done I really don’t want to remember.
With ignorant choices beginning to fade like a vapor, it sometimes feels like I’ve outrun my past. But then something happens that jogs my memory. The painful side of free will returns with a vengeance.
About a hundred feet from the airport screening area I realized I forgot to leave my knife at home. I took off back to the far, far away long-term economy parking with loping strides.
I ran through the massive airport like O.J. Simpson before his fall from grace. My lower back was reminding me of the surgery it had earlier this year.
By the time I got to my truck, that was a quarter-mile from the tram to stash my switch blade, I was huffing and puffing like the Big Bad Wolf.
I’m in fairly good shape, but it’s been 40 plus years since I ran a marathon as a kid. Not to mention I wasn’t pacing myself.
I was about half way back to the tram after stashing my knife when, without warning, my left calf tore. The first thing that flooded my mind was the ridiculous weight that tore it the first time.
That was just the beginning of the plethora of my life’s re-runs that began to play without the luxury of an off switch.
I hobbled toward the tram – pulling my left leg that looked like it weighed a hundred pounds. As I one-legged it for the tram I saw one of the tram cars whiz out toward the terminals. I knew I had three minutes to get to the high-rise people mover before the next one left.
I magically forgot about my searing back pain as I tried to jog with a torn muscle, my left heel taking the brunt of the abuse.
Everybody makes mistakes – guys more than girls in majority. Forgiveness is sweet. Pure forgiveness I don’t think we’ll fully grasp this side of heaven. I’m humbled and grateful for forgiveness. I’ve got extra portions.
As supernatural as Divine forgiveness is, it doesn’t change the past. And time machines only exist in the movies and funny papers.
It’s a wise person that learns from their mistakes. And makes less of them as time and life goes on.
Without our memories, some of us would touch the hot pot on the stove all the days of our lives.
“Blessed are those who believe and have not seen.”
After days of hobbling, icing, Ibuprofen, and stripping the nasty knot in my leg, it dawned on me how apropos the lesson. I thought of the old adage, “You can’t outrun your past.” Of course I got a reminder… while I was running.
Monday, December 11, 2017 @ 9:42 am
Like you, foolishness was in the past. Or so i thought. But then that past becomes the present and my aching body reminds me, not just of the physical stupidity I put my body through, but also the aching in my heart associated with my foolishness. I can’t outrun my past. I know that. Fortunately, I have a God who forgets my past and offers GRACE for it.
Monday, December 11, 2017 @ 1:03 pm
Oh my. I’m sorry about your new injury, Floyd! Jeff would really relate to your story about forgetting to stow away his knife. He’s done that multiples times at airports. ha.
Yes, I’m so grateful for forgiveness too. We all need it every day, over and over and over again.
Monday, December 11, 2017 @ 9:48 pm
Wow, Floyd, so sorry for this recurrence of your injury and the pain to go along w/ it. “They” (who are they?!) say that we don’t really remember pain. I think “they” are men who say that to women in childbirth! 🙂 But aren’t you glad we don’t have to remember our emotional pain from past sin. Yes, it is hard to forget. yes it is hard not to rehearse and nurse it, but with Christ, we are forgiven, and He truly sets us free. I’ve experienced this in areas large and small in my life (and you’ve read my book and my healing by the ocean). That pain pierces now and then, but not the guilt and shame of it. I’m free. And I know you are too. Thank you for the truth, that we *can* outrun our past when Jesus is our coach and finish line!
Love
Lynn
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 @ 9:21 am
Very well said, Lynn. You summed it up perfectly.
Monday, December 11, 2017 @ 11:05 pm
Bless your heart! I am so sorry about your pain and trust the Lord will heal you quickly. You have such an amazing way of weaving personal stories into the spiritual realm and teaching us how to apply Godly truths and wisdom to our everyday lives. So thankful for these thoughts, brother, and hope you feel much better soon. I am praying for you and trust God blesses you and your family with a wonderfully blessed Christmas season.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 @ 4:13 am
Although we can’t outrun our past, we can learn from it. It’s those painful reminders of just how foolish we once were that keeps us from running headlong into foolishness today. Praying you are mended and whole again, Floyd! Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 @ 10:25 am
Having the limitation of recovering from a total knee replacement has thrown me back into making past mistakes AGAIN. My desire to get back to “normal” causes me to walk too much, do too many exercises, in other words not take it slow. I don’t think one age matters when it comes to this kind of recovery but age should have an edge on wisdom you would think. Never too old to learn the same lessons. Will be in prayer for your recovery, remember, slow, slow, slow. REally when you think about it, what do we have to hurry for, we will only be one day older, but also one day closer to seeing our Savior face to face.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 @ 11:00 am
I lost a special knife in Texas when they searched my purse. It was a gift and very small, with tiny scissors but they would not let me keep it. Sorry about the injury due to saving your knife. Those old savings do cause us pain at times. Our old injuries can be hurt again whether they be memories or flesh. Your saying caused me to remember the other old one “You can run but you can’t hide.” Of course the one my mother always said to me, was from the Bible – – “Be sure your sin will find you out.” – – an it always did. Perhaps that is why I am so careful to shun even the appearance of evil. Loved you post Floyd, and I pray that your foot and legs will heal completely.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 @ 11:30 am
I sure hope you are feeling better, Floyd!
Yes, sometimes the past returns to haunt us at the most seemingly ordinary moments. It is human for us to replay those events in our past, but God tells us not to beat ourselves up over past mistakes and indiscretions; He has forgiven them all.
Blessings and healing to you!
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 @ 5:35 pm
Oh, this one hurt to read. I’m trying to imagine you sitting on that plane in pain. Hope it was a short destination and I hope you’re pain free now. Flip side, we could be gimps together. I like a man who knows he’s been forgiven much and is manly enough to talk about it. Thank you for prayer for me; you are on my list as well.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 @ 1:14 pm
old age and the rememberance of our youth just do not embrace each other. As you have learned we cannot do today what we used to do yesterday. Oh we can sure try to relive those glory days, but we will still suffer. I remember the days I could breakdance in my youth (or at least get down on the floor then get back up just as quick. These days it’s a slow rise from off the floor. 🙂
Tuesday, January 2, 2018 @ 10:42 pm
You have a way of telling stories that make me smile, Floyd. That was so funny even though I’m sure it was not funny at the time and really not funny at all! But at least you remembered!
When my brother was in his early 30s (or late 20s), he flew home to surprise my mom for mother’s day. He also was planning to bring his pistol to practice shooting at my mom and dad’s property. His wife told him not to bring it but Al told her not to worry about it.
Well, he brought the pistol and a little rosebud vase with a rose in it to give to Mom – so he walks through security carrying the rosebud in the vase and his carry on – the only problem was that he forgot to put the pistol in his checked luggage!
So of course he got nabbed by security and got a pretty hefty fine, missed his flight, and didn’t end up getting to go home and surprise mom. Moral of the story: listen to your wife and watch what you take on the airplane. 🙂 So glad you remembered your knife before you got to security! Although I’m sorry about your calf!