This is not a wise saying that I've thought of, but a truth of scripture to all believers!
But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
(Lk 9:62)
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:2)
And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” (Lk 9:5)
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, (Php 3:13)
These are some of the most freeing verses in scripture, but some of the hardest to hold on to. That doesn't make sense does it? Not really, but I will tell you as a pastor/person...it's tough for me.
It's easy to dwell on hurt, missed opportunities, and the wrongs of our past. There is a bond that can be built around the things of our past. What I've found is, the longer I look in that rearview mirror...the more current the things of my past feel.
It's like that guy who is riding your bumper down the road on the way to your family vacation. The more you look at him, the more upset you get. The more upset you get, the more power you give him in your life. We stop talking about our joy and build conversation around the rearview mirror. What would happen if you acknowledge him for a moment and then never looked back. You just went back to talking with the others in your car about what is ahead. Where did this driver's power go? It's gone!
Now, that's not easy. In fact, I find some joy in trying to make that guy get off my bumper! I can tell others who will share my joy and their stories of dealing with such instances in their past! It feels...good. Like someone gets me! You know what's funny, this type of action EXTENDS the driver's influence into your future and he's not even there! That's why the Bible shows us that it's our job to keep our eyes from getting saturated with the things that we've been freed from.
As a pastor, holy moly, keeping my eyes forward often creates some of the most gut wrenching moments in my life. Countless times, God has shown me His direction, every time there is someone who desires to stay at the train station or get on a train going in the opposite direction. Like a child leaving his best friends behind, I have found myself often with my nose stuck to the window, tears in my eyes, longing for my friends to jump on! I think these moments are important, but can't last. Sin sneaks in, not in the parting of ways, but in holding on the sorrow, pain, anguish of the moment. When we, or I, keep our eyes fixed on what lies behind, we (I) neglect what lies ahead...the others on the train, the joy of the journey, even the conversation of the destination. Many times what's in the rearview mirror isn't an enemy, but a friend. In these times, I relate most with Heb. 12:2.
The joy is greater than the cross. The cross was brutal for Jesus. I cannot fathom, but it was a moment a speck on the windshield of eternity. The joy was so overwhelming, the cross...was fleeting. The same is true for you and me christian.
So, turn your eyes to what God has in store. What He's rescued you from... your hurts, your past, your missed opportunities...leave them there. They have a capitol "V" on them...God has already given you victory. Don't revisit them...they died and you are a new person. I know what's in the rearview mirror still feel's alive...it may be, but not in you. Don't take my word for it:
It's easy to dwell on hurt, missed opportunities, and the wrongs of our past. There is a bond that can be built around the things of our past. What I've found is, the longer I look in that rearview mirror...the more current the things of my past feel.
It's like that guy who is riding your bumper down the road on the way to your family vacation. The more you look at him, the more upset you get. The more upset you get, the more power you give him in your life. We stop talking about our joy and build conversation around the rearview mirror. What would happen if you acknowledge him for a moment and then never looked back. You just went back to talking with the others in your car about what is ahead. Where did this driver's power go? It's gone!
Now, that's not easy. In fact, I find some joy in trying to make that guy get off my bumper! I can tell others who will share my joy and their stories of dealing with such instances in their past! It feels...good. Like someone gets me! You know what's funny, this type of action EXTENDS the driver's influence into your future and he's not even there! That's why the Bible shows us that it's our job to keep our eyes from getting saturated with the things that we've been freed from.
As a pastor, holy moly, keeping my eyes forward often creates some of the most gut wrenching moments in my life. Countless times, God has shown me His direction, every time there is someone who desires to stay at the train station or get on a train going in the opposite direction. Like a child leaving his best friends behind, I have found myself often with my nose stuck to the window, tears in my eyes, longing for my friends to jump on! I think these moments are important, but can't last. Sin sneaks in, not in the parting of ways, but in holding on the sorrow, pain, anguish of the moment. When we, or I, keep our eyes fixed on what lies behind, we (I) neglect what lies ahead...the others on the train, the joy of the journey, even the conversation of the destination. Many times what's in the rearview mirror isn't an enemy, but a friend. In these times, I relate most with Heb. 12:2.
The joy is greater than the cross. The cross was brutal for Jesus. I cannot fathom, but it was a moment a speck on the windshield of eternity. The joy was so overwhelming, the cross...was fleeting. The same is true for you and me christian.
So, turn your eyes to what God has in store. What He's rescued you from... your hurts, your past, your missed opportunities...leave them there. They have a capitol "V" on them...God has already given you victory. Don't revisit them...they died and you are a new person. I know what's in the rearview mirror still feel's alive...it may be, but not in you. Don't take my word for it:
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. (Ga 2:20–21)
This past Saturday I was surrounded by 21 men in prayer exalting God through prayer for what He has in store for us, our church, and families. We were looking out of the windshield and it's beautiful!
So today...take your eyes off of the rearview mirror...there's a reason it's so small.
