Yesterday as I was getting ready for a lovely lunch with some of my new church ladies, I caught myself looking back. Leaving a church of 23 years has been hard on my heart, and for a second I thought of the "should have beens."
As I entered the land of "should have been" I instantly thought of Lot' wife. You see looking back for her was not an option and in so doing God turned her into a pillar of salt! Why? Because according to gotquestions.org, "This was more than just a glance over the shoulder; it was a look of longing that indicated reluctance to leave or a desire to return."
Thankfully, I've been blessed with friends who reminded me that if I looked back with longing I'd miss the here and now. Also, I'd miss the blessings in front of me. As I ate with my new sisters in Christ, I heard wonderful stories of God's faithfulness throughout their lives. What a blessing!
CS Lewis wrote in 1963 in a letter to a dying woman, "Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave it with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (3:12)
Matthew Henry wrote, "He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point..."
Lord, I don't want to look back other than to remember your goodness to me. Instead I want to be like Paul looking forward. Friend, I pray you aren't looking back, but instead looking forward. Press on!
