Forward Vision

Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”  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: 61-62 (NIV) 

Beautiful memories, that we wish we lived in now, can consume our thoughts, causing us to live in our pasts instead of our today. Disappointments from yesterday, when allowed to overwhelm our hearts, create bitterness.  Broken relationships, sin in our lives, the death of a dream, are parts of our past that should never rob futures. In Luke 9, Jesus warns us to not “look back.” 

Imagine reliving a winter filled with drought every year!  None of us want this to be a part of our present or our future!  Powder filled days, fun with friends, waxing our boards to be ready for the next snow, that’s what we look forward to, even before winter begins.  

Each of us has a present and a future to embrace.  God longs to partner with each of His kids!  Jesus is reminding us that He wants preeminence in our lives.  We can’t keep God first and live in His purpose if our pasts distract us.  

It’s time to have forward vision!  Holding onto the “glory” days, narrows our vision for new ideas and dreams.  Consistently looking at past disappointments, hardens our hearts to God’s plans for our futures.  Focusing on past sin, invites shame and guilt to rule our lives, causing us to believe that “We are not fit for service in the Kingdom of God.”  Fear gets an advantage when we hold onto the hurt from broken relationships; keeping us from loving those, who Jesus wants to bring into our lives. 

A new season is upon us!  There are “fields to plow” and “seeds to sow.” Look up, look ahead… Can you see them?  

Thousands of people, who desperately need a seed of hope dropped into their hearts — there isn’t time for distraction. Forward vision produces beautiful and abundant fruit, when we leave our pasts behind to truly follow Jesus.