At the conclusion of their time in exile, the people of Judah returned to the holy city of Jerusalem and began to rebuild the temple in its old location. For most of those who were present, this moment was one of great joy, as this act of rebuilding began the process of returning their lives to normal. Yet in that moment, many of the people began to weep. Their minds turned back to the temple that had been destroyed at the command of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and they became overwhelmed by the loss of what had once been the central place of their worship life.
We can easily get caught in the same trap as these people of Judah, who mourned the moments and places of the past, especially when we find ourselves in the midst of a new beginning. Sometimes this trap will ensnare us simply because we do not like change, particularly any change that is painful in its beginning, as was the loss of Jerusalem and the temple for the people of Judah. We need to realize how easily we can get caught up in the idealization (or idolizing) of events in the past. We might only see the positive aspects of our memories while glossing over or ignoring the negative aspects.
God calls us to lives of renewal where we can also be instruments of healing in the lives of others. To us falls a choice. We can spend our time dwelling on events of the past, which we may view through a distorted lens. Or we can set our eyes on the future, where we can rejoice alongside God as He works to make all things new.