Looking Back

             But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26)

 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

             The first passage today is one that perplexes me. Some suggest that “looking back” involved hanging back and looking with longing. In the second passage, the problem of looking back is more established. If you look back while you’re plowing or driving, chances are your row will be crooked or you’ll drive off the road. Looking back is one of the things the Israelites did as they traveled toward the Promised Land.

               And as we head into 2023, we may be tempted to look back. It may have been easier to live without the changes we’ve decided to make. And it’s not just our minds that may betray us. Every part of us has a memory. We can easily find our bodies, emotions, thoughts, wills, and even our friends and family looking back with longing toward what we used to do.

            This is part of why we must find ways to remind ourselves to look toward where we want to go. Whether it’s pictures on the fridge, items on our to-do list, something we share in Facebook, or something else. It might irritate someone else, but in a sense, that’s looking back to see who is booing in the background.

            Another cause of looking back is the doubt that makes us question whether our actions are God’s will. We might be tempted to think, “It’s selfish,” “it’s not spiritual,” or “what sort of witness is this being?” Prayer is vital as we move forward. We should be willing to change course if God directs but ask God to make it clear if He wants you to change course. There’s a difference between being rebellious and wanting clear direction.

            We spent time looking back – and there is benefit to it in its proper place, but as you begin 2023 is not the time to do so.