The morning sky was dancing with color as we peered through the front window of our car. Winnie, John-John, and I were mesmerized by the beautiful sky as we were driving to school this morning. Looking forward in awe, I was also looking back in my rear view mirror making sure no one was behind me getting “their panties in a wad.” (You know how morning drives can be with slow drivers and the fast anticipation of getting to work.)
In that moment, God whispered to me: “Annie, you need to look forward. Sometimes you get caught looking back and park in frustration and doubt. I have made the front window large so you can see. Look up! Look ahead! The rear view mirror is small so you can look back but only to direct you moving forward. They are not made to keep your focus there.”
When God tells us to look forward or look up in Scripture, it’s always a reference to fix our eyes on His glory. Being the Christmas season, even the Shepherds looked up to see the angels. The Wise Men looked up to see the star . . . pointing to the glorious birth of Christ.
- Psalm 121:1-2 tells us to: “lift up (our) eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
- Proverbs 4:25 tells us where to look: Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
- Luke 21:27-28 reminds us where to keep our focus: “Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
When God talks about looking back, it’s always to remind us of His faithfulness. God never tells us to look back to shame us or sit in condemnation over past mistakes.
- Paul tells us in Philippians 3:12-14: “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
As believers in Christ, we are to press forward, not pedal backwards. There is so much God wants us to SEE in this present moment! But we will miss it if our focus is on the past. Rear view mirrors are small for a reason. Yes, they help us navigate, but only to help us move FORWARD.
- Use your past to teach you to press on into that which you know to be good and true.
- Use your past to stir you to praise the God of compassion who carried you through.
- Use your past to comfort others “in any trouble with the comfort (you yourself) received from God” ( 1 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Let the words of Paul soak into your soul this morning: Forget what is behind and strain forward. Unwrap these promises today: We are forgiven as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). We are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Jesus is born today in the town of Bethlehem! This Christmas, ask for a beautiful sunrise. Keep your focus fixed on Him. Share these moments with your children. Don’t get your panties in a wad—move forward. (And drive with nice manners while you are at it!)
Dear Lord, thank YOU for large front windows and small rear view mirrors. I know I often can get parked in the past: broken dreams, disappointments, past failures, embarrassing moments, and poor choices. I pray to look forward and fix my eyes on Your amazing glory and grace. You have made me a new creation! All of my past mistakes has been washed clean in the loving forgiveness of Your son, Jesus. Today, I pray to look ahead—keeping my focus on Christ, the author and perfecter of my faith, who died for me. Thank You for this Christmas season. Thank You for beautiful sunrises, and the laughter of children. Thank You for small rear view mirrors. Teach me to look ahead and see You. Only You. Amen.