I find myself looking in the rear view mirror a lot more these days. Not the mirror in the car, but the mirror of life. My spiritual life, that is, for that is certainly the most important area of life.
Years ago, when I was all wrapped up in Louis l’amour western novels, the author often referred to watching his back trail; that which was behind him.
There were two reasons, he said, for looking backwards from time to time.. The first was the presence of lurking Indians or outlaws. (In my case and yours, the presence of distractions we once put away which still haunts us and live in the past. We are so easily distracted aren’t we? These distractions, especially those things we once thought worthy , can still call us off our course and delay our journey.
Second thing on the back trail is the past itself. There were plenty of good things back there as well as the bad. Louis always said that if you constantly looked at where you had been you could always find your way back. Things look much different in hindsight; we all know that.
All that is to ask; How’s your (spiritual ) journey going?” Have you gotten distracted and sidetracked? Have things of this world sent you off on a detour?
Look behind you for a moment. Remember how good it was when you first walked hand in hand with Him? When He was your constant companion? How sweet were those days when the road was fresh and new! They can be again, you know; just look behind you and see where you’ve been, and then notice what it was that sidetracked you.
Now with your back trail fresh in your mind, take a new look ahead and be sure you know where you are headed, and if that is really your original destination.
God has a plan for you, but there is one on your back trail that demands attention as well. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
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