Rear-View
- Deborah King
- May 13, 2017
- 3 min read
Rear-view.
“I will remember your great deeds, Lord; I will recall the wonders you did in the past. I will think about all that you have done; I will meditate on all your mighty acts.”
Psalm 77:11-12 GNT
I'm currently in the process of learning to drive (I have been for the last three and a half years, but that is a different post for a different day). One of the things I struggled with most about this process was checking my mirrors, particularly the Rear-view. I just couldn't understand what was so important about looking behind me, SURELY the giant windscreen in front of me was enough to keep me safe. When the weather was good, and I was on a relatively straight, and open road, Lewis Hamilton himself could not convince me that checking my rear-view at regular intervals was important to the journey I was on.
All the drivers reading this may think that I'm insane, and the DVLA should should block my receipt of a licence at any cost, and you may be right. However, I know I have a point, when the road ahead is clear and smooth, there is less need for the mirrors. But what happens when it's not? - what happens when you have to perform a manoeuvre, or when it's pouring with rain on a motorway, and you need a clear indication of how close the cars behind and around you are. I'll agree, mirrors are way more necessary.
Forgive the analogy, but I am staring to discover life to be the same way. We are taught so often not t look back. To leave the past in the past and focus on our future, not to be held down by the things of old, what is done is done, and every other cliche you can think of. But I submit to you that maybe looking back is not the worst thing we could do? It's easy to look ahead and be excited for the future when the road is clear. When we know exactly where we are going, and when we are confident in what is around us.
It's a totally different story when the weather changes, or life throws us a 'reverse left parking space' or a 'parallel park'. In the car, we go from occasionally checking our rear-view, to relying on it to get us through the task ahead. And I think all our driving instructors may have been on to something.
When we hit obstacles, when life stops just sailing along. When we come against things that look impossible, why don't we look back? Look in through the rear-view of your life and remember who was behind and with you all the way. Look behind at the God that did not, could not, would not let you be alone. Look back at his faithfulness. Write it down, plaster memories of his commitment to you all over the walls of your life.
Psalm 77:11 says '“I will remember your great deeds, Lord; I will recall the wonders you did in the past. I will think about all that you have done; I will meditate on all your mighty acts." - this portion if scripture follows David explaining an intense fear that was consuming him, a period of his life where he couldn't see a way out. But he resolved to look back, and remember that the God that has NEVER failed before, would not start with him.
I know that comparing the problems of life to a parallel Parking Manoeuvre makes light of what could be a horrific situation that you are facing, but I pray you understand, that there isn't a mirror in the vehicle of your life that you could look through and not see the faithfulness of a relentless father. although you aren't where you want to be, looking back every now and again will remind you that you aren't where you used to be. - so look back, remember, that he never left, and he never will.
We love you
Agape x