The things we learned as children have become shrouded in the past. We no longer need them, or do we? When we look back are we simply trying to relive our lives and maybe change some of the mistakes we made along the way? Or can we actually use those experiences to shape our future?

When Lot’s wife looked back at the smoldering cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, it was the last chance she would have.  Because she was disobedient to the command to keep her eyes focused on what lay ahead, her plight was that she became of pillar of salt.  Just like that – bam!  Why did she look back?  Was it because she was told not to or was it simply a natural instinct?  I often wonder what she was thinking in that brief moment.

When we reviewed the past year on New Years Eve, we did a lot of remembering, reminiscing, reevaluating, rethinking.  The year 2020 had gained a reputation of sorrow, grief and disappointment. It was time to start over, but what would lie ahead? Would it just be more of the same or could we possibly hope for something better?

Of course, God already has a wonderful life set in the future for those who place their confidence in Him rather than themselves.  Sometimes we have to look back to see how we messed up or what we can do to improve.  We plan – we make lists – we set resolutions for ourselves which we know, deep down, will never be kept.  We try to be optimistic and look forward rather than back, but our human nature soon gets in the way and we return to our old habits.

We should place our confidence in the future, but we need to be active as well.  We need to use the gifts God has given to us, to make things happen, yet be on the lookout for God’s intervention and prayers that are being answered in His timing.  We need to trust in His wisdom.  We must have faith that He will give us the right direction.  He’s our heavenly Father and wants only the best for His children.

If we keep looking back, we probably won’t turn into a pillar of salt, but we need to learn how to kick the devil out of our lives, shut the door on past mistakes and live for what will come tomorrow.  We also need to learn from our errors so we can be free to move ahead. For all that will happen to those who love Him has already been established by the triune God.  He knew it before we were even born.  We don’t have to figure things out alone.  We have His divine intervention in our lives every second of every day.

Dear, Lord, Jesus, my Savior and Brother,

You chose to leave your Kingdom in heaven and live a life of poverty and rejection so that I could enjoy the benefits of heaven. You are the beginning and the end of all things. I will place my trust in your direction for my life as I lay my sins at your feet, knowing that you have already forgiven all of them. Amen!