There is a beautiful quote from the renowned Christian philosopher Søren Kierkegaard: “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” This principle deeply resonates when applied to the Christian journey of faith. Often, we only recognize God’s goodness after a particular season or event has passed. When we are in the midst of life’s storms, all we can see are the waves of problems and the winds of trials, but once the storm subsides and we look back, we realize that the hand of God never left us.
The psalmist David gives a vivid picture of God’s nature in Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” The word “follow” here translates the Hebrew word rādaf, an intensive verb meaning “to pursue, to run after.” Imagine a soldier chasing his enemy with all his might, or a treasure hunter relentlessly pursuing his prize. This verb portrays an active, passionate pursuit—God’s faithful love chasing after our lives. It means that throughout our lives, He never tires of upholding and sustaining us with His goodness and mercy—even when we fail to notice it.
Throughout the year 2025, perhaps we have walked through life’s valleys and climbed the cliffs of trials—losing loved ones, facing deep disappointment, or enduring increasing economic struggles. If we are still standing today, it is not by our own strength but by God’s mercy that has guided every step we’ve taken. As we look back, we can echo David’s words: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” From this confession of faith, we can see a shift in focus. The solution was not found in the removal of problems, but in the presence of the Shepherd. The rod—used to protect from danger—and the staff—used to guide the sheep—represent the comfort found in God Himself.
This is the precious lesson we learn when we look back. Often, gratitude develops over time. Usually, it is in the darkest valleys that we experience God’s presence most tangibly. There, we learn to rely entirely on His help. When our own strength is gone, we discover that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We once thought our prayers were ignored, but God was merely delaying His answers because He knew what was best—not according to our version, but His. We once thought all doors were closed, but He was protecting us from the wrong path. Looking back, we begin to see the pattern of God’s love weaving every event into a beautiful masterpiece.
One of the greatest spiritual fruits of the habit of “looking back” is the birth of genuine gratitude. Such gratitude springs from a deep awareness that life is a journey with God. No step is wasted when we walk under the guidance of the Good Shepherd. Even failure can become a means of learning from His will and plan, shaping our character to be more like Christ.
As we near the end of this year, take a moment to look back—not with regret or disappointment, but with thanksgiving. Let us count every blessing God has given, especially the small ones we often overlook: the breath of life, restored health, a loving and supportive family, fruitful ministry, peace in our hearts, and heavenly joy even while storms still rage outside. All these are tangible proofs of God’s grace—His goodness and mercy—that not only follow us, but pursue us every single day.