When it comes to mistakes, I see so many of my own through the years that I simply don’t have time or space to look at other people’s errors very much at all.  But one of the most common mistakes I see people – especially those working in the stock market or – making these days is PROJECTING the past onto the future.

The past certainly shouldn’t be ignored (I like that saying, “Dwell on the past, lose an eye.  Forget the past, lost both eyes.”) but nor should it be projected onto the future, since the latter will almost certainly diverge from the former at some point.

I can’t even tell you how often I see people doing this, every day, all the time.  The main tip-offs are statements like “That’s not how it’s been done in the past” or “That’s how it’s always been done in the past”, it works both ways, in either case it’s still projecting the past onto the future.

Far better, far wiser to just follow the Bible’s instructions for life since its Author does know the future so why take any chances?!

By the way, the worst example of this I’ve ever seen is found in 2 Peter 3:3-7 – “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?  For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’  For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.  But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”

It is SO EASY for us humans to think – consciously or subconsciously – that the Lord isn’t going to return, certainly not anytime soon, probably not in our lifetime, right?  Maybe.  But maybe not.  And the stakes in this matter are just way too (sky-) high to take a chance.  Far better to live life with an ongoing view of that very real possibility.  “And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man’s work, CONDUCT YOURSELVES IN FEAR [i.e., REVERENCE, RESPECT] during the time of your stay upon earth” (1 Peter 1:17).

May it be so.

Grant us, Lord, not to give in to that human tendency to think tomorrow is going to be like yesterday but rather to simply trust and obey Your Word, the Bible.  Thank You so much for its teachings and principles and wisdom and also for its warnings, may we be wise and heed them.
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