my tv: lost: FLASHFORWARD

I know. I know. I've already talked about my favorite TV show before. But it was more than a year ago. And seeing as I'll have to wait till FEB 2008 to see any new episodes-- I think you can bare with me. Besides... The subject matter at hand I think will be helpful.

For three years Lost has followed the lives of these plane crash survivors. And each episode follows the life of one survivor using flashbacks of their life before the plane crash. So for about 66 some odd episodes we have gathered information about these peoples past.

However, in a great twist-- the season finale of season three had us following what we thought was Jack Shepherd's past yet again. But some things were out of wack. And finally, near the end-- it is revealed that the flashbacks we were seeing were actually FLASHFORWARDS of what life is going to be after they get rescued.

I am not of the thought that we must ignore our past. In most cases, we are the product of what has happened to us. Sometimes that is good (a good upbringing usually produces a well mannered young adult). However, there are times that bad, sometimes horrible things happen and that in turn shapes us as we grow.

In Isaiah 43.18 part b, God says: Do not dwell on the past. Dwell means to to live or stay as a permanent resident. To reside in a place. And God is saying don't live your life in the past. Don't let your mind get stuck thinking about everything that has happened to you (whether it be good or bad). Either way, dwelling in the past has you facing in the wrong direction. Dwelling in the past has you ignoring the present and oblivious to the future.

Instead-- God offers this bit of wisdom in the book of Proverbs: Fix your gaze directly in front of you. Your eyes are in the front of your head for a reason. If not, you'd be stumbling. God wants us to have our gaze fixed on what is coming to us, not what has passed by us.

Is He saying that what happened in the past is not important? Nope. He is saying that it isn't as important as what is going to happen in the future. We need to put our past in perspective. It is what has happened. Now lets' be excited for what is coming ahead.

Instead continuing more seasons of "Lost" with flashbacks, the creator of the show has said that now they have turned a pivotal point. From now on there will be FLASHFOWARDS to show where these characters are going to be in the future.

If a show that has no real importance knows the value of looking ahead and not dwelling on the past-- then we definitely need to learn the benefits of fixing our gaze on what is in front of us.