Rearview

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”

Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor

Phillipians 3:13-15 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The rearview mirror has a purpose when driving. It allows you to see what is approaching from behind, and aids you in lane changes and backing. There are times when the rearview mirror can be very useful, but if we were to drive by the rearview we would have to be backing up and not moving very fast.

Life is meant to be lived forward. It is meant to be faced head on and not backing up. There are many who cower in fear with each new day because they have been entangled in the snares of the past. The shackles of past failures continue to haunt there present circumstances. But like a fresh new canvas, each sunrise brings with it brand new opportunities to start all over again. There is no need to continually look backward. There is no value in retaining the past with its failures and successes because each new day brings with it even greater joys and opportunities.

Continually gazing into the rear view mirror will cause many wrecks along the highways of life. I fear there are way too many living their life with a rear view. They are stuck looking backward to perhaps a better time or a missed opportunity. With their attention constantly rearward they fail to notice the opportunities that lie ahead. They may even wind up missing the off ramp to success by their insistence on backward reflection.

The Apostle Paul admonishes the Phillipian believers to forget what lies behind. There is no value in clinging to the past even if it has been riddled with much success. Paul knew that resting on past accomplishments or regretting failures would only hinder future endeavors. Both success and failure can hinder future attainment if we allow ourselves to live in reverse. So by contrast Paul says to forget the past and focus on the future. He admonishes us to look for even greater things which lie ahead, which can be found by aiming high. Setting our sights on the not yet rather than look at the what was.

So as highway 2010 lies ahead, let us all see where this road may lead us. To those who are keeping their focus on things above, the journey will be exciting and joyful. Yes there will be potholes along the way. There will be roadblocks and detours, but in the end, if we do not quit, we will arrive right where God intends us to be.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. _{Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)}