Ever notice how big your windshield is in comparison to the size of your rear view mirror? There is a big difference! You need the larger area in order to see where you are going. You never look in the rear view mirror to move forward. That would most certainly cause a wreck! You would never make any progress either, just frustration.
We should be looking forward to see where God wants us to be. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” The Bible says there is a plan for your future but you need to be looking forward with your physical and spiritual eyes. Notice the last part of the verse says “hope and a future”. You can’t move toward your future by looking in the past. You have to look forward!
It’s pretty easy to be hopeful and excited looking out the windshield, but what if it’s raining? I mean your phone is buzzing with tornado warnings, there is a flash flood in the area, and golf size hail is being hurled at your windshield. Maybe your children are in the hospital fighting for their lives. Maybe the atmosphere in the office is stifling and you are fighting for motivation. Maybe the bills are looming over your head. The what if’s are dancing around like the sign holders at the stop light. We all face rain as we drive towards the hope and future. Should that make you stop? The water will only rise around you if you do.
Remember, God hasn’t forgotten you! He still has the plan for you. Turn the headlights on and window wipers full blast. Will it stop the rain? No, but it makes it easier to drive through it. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” It’s tough at times do that when adversity is happening against your faith, but trust Him. Rain isn’t fun while your driving but it also washes your car off. Maybe the adversity you are facing right now is teaching and making you stronger? When you get out from under the storms and the sun begins to shine again, your faith has grown!
Lastly while you are driving, you use GPS so you don’t get lost on your journey. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Sometimes we think we know which street to get on and which exit to take, only to take a turn around to get back to where you need to be. If we use GPS we will always know where to go! We won’t take the wrong exit or street.
This is a tough one to write and pray about. Some of you have been driving for a long time through the storms. Some of you just started and it’s sunny outside. There is also some of you that keep driving in reverse and causing wrecks. It all starts at where you are looking. Don’t look back. Don’t lose hope. Be confident that He has this! Look forward, use the headlights, and turn on the GPS.
