Leave the Rearview in the Rear

Sunday we looked at the story of Stephen who was martyred for his faith.  One of the things we observed was that Stephen was forward-looking and living.  Even as he was being pressed by the Jewish leaders and a hostile crowd stirred up by his false accusers he never looked back.  He focused on what was ahead.  He gazed upward an kept his sights on heaven and God’s glory.  Instead of trying to defend his life he sought to honor God.  The rest of us would’ve cut and run from such a vitriolic crowd, but not Stephen.

So many of us are prone to focus on life’s rearview mirror.  We blame the past: people, decisions, life situations and formative years for our present situation.  Hear me, I get that a lot of us have experienced real pain as a result of the actions of others, or poor choices we have made.  While the past is part of who we are it doesn’t have to rule.  Just because someone has hurt me in the past doesn’t mean I have to hurt others, or carry it around for life.  No, I will never forget it and I shouldn’t.  I should face it head on, process it, deal with it and grow from it.  However, I am not going to let it hold my future hostage.

Every single day (heck, sometimes every minute) we have a choice how we are going to react and respond to events and people around us.  We can choose our attitude for the day instead of letting someone else determine it.  Don’t let the past paralyze your ability to serve, love others, experience joy, and drink from God’s well of life.  Take your eyes off the rearview mirror and look through the windshield.  Learn, grow and heal from the past, but focus on the moment at hand.  Live here and now with an eye on the future.

Imagine if Stephen had lashed out in defense of his life?  He would’ve been perfectly justified in trying to avoid physical harm and death.  However, his story is one of hope in the face challenge.  His story finds joy in the middle of pain.  His story shows how humility ushers in the glory of God.  There’s an old golf line, “choose your line and trust your swing.”  Tomorrow morning when our feet hit the floor we, by the grace of God, get to choose our line.  So lean into God, choose your line and trust your swing.  Cancer taught me to redeem the moment, and choose joy despite the presence of real pain.  Oh to have faith like Stephen’s.