Looking Back

On this chilly November morning as I look over the pond the wind is blowing a pile of leaves from the bank onto the surface of the water. On the water they look like a fleet of little boats setting off on their predestined courses. Some spin around and around not really going anywhere, others are moving ahead without deviating from the course ahead.

Aren’t we like these leaf boats? Some of us seem to never really move ahead in our Christian walk, while others move boldly ahead without looking back. Remember Lot’s wife? Looking back can be a big problem! But don’t we all want to glance back over our shoulder at what we’re leaving behind?

In Hebrews chapter 11, which I call the chapter of faith, we find that Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sara, and many others are considered righteous because of their faith. Also in that same chapter, and in verse 15, after having made reference to Abraham’s sojourn in the promised land, the writer goes on to say, “and truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. (16) But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”

We are to strive ever forward, not looking back at the past. Philippians 3:13 brings that point home when Paul says that he hasn’t made it on his own. He goes on to say, “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (vs 14) I press toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

How do we avoid going around in circles and not advancing on our pre-plotted course? Trusting Jesus by faith, studying the Word of God, and prayer. Instruction can be found in II Peter 5:8, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance; patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

My prayer today is one of encouragement for any reader whose boat is not sailing boldly along on a direct path. Your boat’s course can be adjusted but it must be done purposefully. How does one change the direction of a boat? By physically changing the direction of the rudder. In much the same way we change our spiritual direction by making the decision to do so.

Will you make the necessary changes to redirect your path today?

(The Pond - 2016)