Good morning! There are often times that I like to reflect on the life I have lived to this point to see the changes and growth that has taken place. The times when I celebrated certain milestones and achievements easily come to mind; times when I went through struggles and challenges are others that seem to pop in as well.
How about you – do you look back in joy sometimes and terror in others? I’m sure you do! We have all experienced the highs on the mountain tops and the lows in the valleys at one time or another.
When I look back at the struggles, I look back thankful for what God has done in my life. I realize how broken I was and how He gently put the broken pieces back together. At times I wish I had never gone through the tough times, but then I understand that they played a part in making me who I am today. Most of the hard times came because of selfish decisions I made, while others happened just because life is not always perfect.
This morning I’m thinking about two different ways that we can look back at our lives:
- Look back with a desire for what we used to do, where we used to be, and what we used to have.
- Look back with a thankfulness for what God has done and how He has brought restoration to my brokenness.
Looking back with a desire for what WAS
In the book of Genesis, there is a story about Lot (Abraham’s nephew) and his family. The land they were living in was FULL of sin to the point where God was going to destroy the city of Sodom. After Abraham pleaded with God for his nephew’s life, God sent two angels to remove them from Sodom who experienced the immorality first hand. They had Lot gather his family and gave them specific instructions.
“As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”
Genesis 19:18
When you look at the original meaning of the Hebrew used for ‘look’, it helps us understand fully what Lot’s family was being instructed NOT to do.
Hebrew word – ‘nabat’
means to look or gaze intently, often with a sense of consideration or contemplation
God wanted them to be sure of their decision to leave the past behind them and trust God with their future. This is the same thing God is calling us to – the old is gone, the new has come! Those who belong to Jesus are a new creation, no longer living as they once were!
As the story continues, we find out that Lot’s wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt! This action symbolized a longing for her past life and the attachment she had to the city. She was not confident in her decision to leave and disobedient to the instructions from the Lord.
We are not supposed to look back with consideration on the things we used to do, but instead with thanksgiving for God’s intervention!
Looking back with thankfulness for what God did
There are other times in the Bible where God had the people set up memorials so that they could remember what He had done! These are the moments when we look back and are encouraged to continue growing in our relationship with God because we remember what He did then and what He is capable of doing now!
I clearly remember many moments in my life where God showed up! I even hesitate to say that because truthfully He ALWAYS shows up – just not always how we expect. But one time I remember a specific prayer I prayed and my prayer was, “God, let today be THE day!” And the prayer I had been praying for months was answered THAT day!
As the Israelites were crossing the Jordan River ON DRY GROUND to take possession of the land God promised to them, God had them pick up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan as a reminder of what God had done!
“In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.
Joshua 4:6-7
It is important to set up ‘memorials’ in our lives to remind us of what God has done – to remind ourselves and to tell the future generation that they might seek Him!
So what perspective do you choose when looking back and reflecting on the adventure of your life? I encourage you to look back today and remind yourself of God’s power, faithfulness, love, and compassion! Let it be a fuel for today as you sit down to focus on growing in your understanding of who He is and allow Him to TRANSFORM you more into His likeness!
Heavenly Father, thank You for the times we can look back and remind ourselves that You are GOOD! Forgive us for the times when we look back with a desire for what once was. Help us to let go of our past and trust You with our future! In Jesus Name – AMEN!
Be Transformed 