Looking Back

Have you ever looked back through your rear view mirror at something you were leaving behind? Movies will often show this scene with a lot of emotion. There really is something to looking back. When we left our home and town we made certain it was the right decision. But to my surprise I kept looking back at what we left. I know now how pointless that was. The pain it caused. God had plans for my growth, for my future and for my family. I shouldn’t have looked back. What about you? Is there something you keep looking back at?

Lot’s wife has the most dramatic look back story in history. Before God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah he was merciful to her family. An angel warned them, “Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” (Genesis 19:17) God pulled this family out of a city of sin that was about to rain down fire and burning sulfur. “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26) I always picture her simply glancing back over her shoulder. But it sounds like she was looking back with longing toward a wicked city. Thousands of years later, Jesus tells us to, “Remember Lot’s wife!” (Luke 17:32) Her story reminds us that if we hold on to the life we are called to leave then we will lose it. But by letting go we gain true life.

Two men wanted to follow Jesus. One man said, “First let me go and bury my father.” (Luke 9:59) And the other said, “First let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” (Luke 9:61) These sound like incredibly reasonable requests. But Jesus responded with, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) The circumstances don’t matter when God calls. Whether a sin filled city, a town with good memories or a simple family visit - God must be first without hesitation. Don’t look back! Why cause yourself pain, distraction and delay. Join me now, lets put our hands to the plow.