Future, hindsight and faith.

A passage penned many months back. It ended abruptly as my pen ran out of ink. I didn't continue writing. It was left in a notebook till I came across it again a few days ago.   

Hindsight is an enigma. So is the future. We know nothing of the future until its passing. In its passing, future brings about more uncertainties. Hindsight thus possess this similar characteristic as the future: one only possesses it after the passing of certain time and event. While bringing the possibility of clarity and realisation (whether illusory or real) of what has happened in the past - vis-a-vis the understanding that one's past has culminated in the present (and by extension, the future) - hindsight offers little insight - certainly nothing of the future. 

However, hindsight is, to some extent, related to our human desires for second chances in life; chances to start anew, to address past mistakes, to redeem our failures. Nonetheless, even in the search for second chances - there is no certainty that we can make good this time round. Paradoxically, whilst we look for that second chance in the form of a life changing opportunity / occurrence, each day presents a new chance for that change. Yet, in the midst of searching for that significant second chance, we lose sight of the significance of the opportunities that each day may present. 

Even with the benefit of hindsight to attempt on shedding light to the labyrinth of life, the mysteries in life continue enshrouding us. What? How? When? Where? Our human struggles over the concept of future - be it in thoughts or experience bring about a sharp contention with the concept of faith. I have encountered people who have quoted Karl Marx statement to me: religion is the opium for the masses i.e. a psychological crutch. Yet, I reckon that faith, instead of a crutch, is actually a mountain to scale. It is a much easier option to rely and resort to our human capacity of thoughts and senses (whatever available in this physical realm) as a solution to our struggles in the face of the enigmatic future and futile hindsight (where the symphony of failures and futility rehearse repeatedly). To trust that "He makes all things beautiful in His time" is of scant relief in the absence of faith.  

With the benefit of hindsight, here is something that has been on my mind again lately.

The bridges are torn down, and the followers simply move ahead. They are called away and are supposed to "step out" of their previous existence, they are supposed to "exist" in the strict sense of the word. The disciple is thrown out of the relative security of life into complete insecurity (which in truth is absolutely security and protection in community with Jesus): out of the foreseeable and calculable realm (which in truth is unreliable) into the completely unforeseeable, coincidental realm (which in truth is the only necessary and reliable one); out of the realm of limited possibilities *which in truth is that of unlimited possibilities) into the realm of unlimited possibilities (which in truth is the only liberating reality). Discipleship, Bonhoeffer.