Opinion
When it’s time to look forward, not back
Ruth Lilley explains why looking back may not always be helpful when seeking God’s direction for your life.
As I sit here drinking my coffee, I am watching out the window as someone reverses their car. They have clearly come down a road they didn’t want to, so they are manoeuvring back. It took them a few attempts however, but they are now journeying in the direction they want to go.
When reversing a car, looking back is essential to ensure there is not a collision. This one small moment of watching caused me to consider how much time I spend looking back, although my looking back does not always prevent a collision!
Maybe I have found myself in a situation that I been in several times before, and instead of facing forward, I look back. By looking back, I allow my thoughts and actions to be shaped by something that has already happened. I might find myself mentally writing the story of how the situation is going to go. Or find myself in the mindset of ‘this always has a negative outcome so why would today be any different?’
Whilst I am not recommending reversing a car without looking in the rear view mirror, I do wonder, when I find myself in situations such as these, if looking back is not a helpful thing to do.
If I stay focused on the moment, not writing a negative story, and instead being present in the moment my view will then be very different. In the now, I might hear something or see something that will be a step towards a more positive outcome. If I am in the now, my mind will not be cluttered with all the previous outcomes, but will be freer to see all the possibilities of goodness.
There will be space to fix my mind on Jesus and remind myself of His goodness and love. With Him there is always hope and the certainty of a brighter outcome. Sometimes I have to dig deep to not reverse and go with the ‘usual’ outcome. Sometimes it can feel like Jesus’ love is not near. However, in the calmer moments, if I am ensuring that I am investing in remembering the deep truths of Jesus, then I will recall them, even when it might not feel like they are true. If I take my time to build my foundations on His mighty love, even when it feels tough, then Truth will stay with me.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV).
Today, I choose His love and closeness. So, when those moments come and I look to reverse, I will be reminded of the love, strength and goodness of Jesus. I will be reminded of how His love has enabled me before. It may take a few attempts to refocus my gaze, so I am thankful for His grace. Today it can be different.
The image of someone looking back as they reverse their car is AI generated.
Ruth Lilley teaches at an infant school in Norwich. She also enjoys writing, and writes a regular blog called ‘With Every Sun Comes A New Day.’
The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Norwich and Norfolk, and are intended to stimulate constructive debate between website users.
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