"Looking Back"

  It was rather incredible. On May 6, 1954 a fellow named  Roger Bannister became the first man in  history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. Within two months, John Landy eclipsed the record by 1.4 seconds. On Aug. 7, 1954 the two met for a historic race. As they moved into the last lap, Landy held the lead. He was in position to win the race but as he neared the finish he was wondering where Bannister was. As he turned to look back, Bannister passed him quickly on the opposite side he looked. The race was lost by Landy. After the race Landy told a magazine reporter, "If I hadn't looked back, I would have won!"

  As I reflected on this, too many people live their lives in the past. They look at what has happened or how they were raised. Yes, things of our past history can have an affect on us but too many allow those things to make them who they are today. It affects marriages, relationships and even how you raise your own children. 

  Do you recall the day you were baptized into Christ? What was that about? You and Jesus coming together as one (Rom. 6). You being raised with Jesus in the working of God (Col. 2:12). You trustingly put yourself under Him burying your old self that was tied to sin in death. That means your past, all your past was laid to rest and you now belong to Jesus and you have a different Father! Why do many continue to live in their dead past?

  No one had more pain and did more harm to people than the apostle Paul. "Even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief."  (I Tim. 1:13) Because of the mercy of God extended, Paul became Christ's. What he was in his past was dead in his past and he found grace, faith and love in Christ Jesus (I Tim. 1:14). What did he do with his life? He didn't deny his past but he embraced his present with Jesus. "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:13-14) His life was pressing forward! His goal was with God and Christ Jesus. His past was buried and forgiven.

  One can't grow in faith and love while looking back! Your past was buried with Jesus. Let Him deal with the things that are hurtful and sinful. Your present is to move forward and you can only do that by looking to Jesus and grasping His life knowing your heavenly Father will bring you safely home. Are you dwelling on your past sins or the sins others did to you? If you don't give them up to Jesus, you will die in your sins. Jesus gives us life and life abundantly. Grab hold by faith today!