No Looking Back

No Looking Back

Jesus [said], “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:62

Do you ever find yourself wishing for the “good old days”? The first Anabaptists were persecuted because of their religious views, so refugees fled from Bavaria (a part of southern Germany) to Moravia, which is now part of the Czech Republic (formerly Czechoslovakia). In 1535 a group of refugees attempted to return home, and in August they traveled up the Danube River. As soon as they stepped into Bavarian territory, they were arrested and imprisoned in the dungeons of the bishop’s castle in Passau. Many men and women died in those dungeons, but some survived and were released in 1540. As they exited they carried with them songs they had written while in prison, and these became the foundation for the Ausbund, the Amish hymnal.

I get chills as I read these words from one of the martyrs, Hans Betz: “Let us fight valiantly on, pressing toward the prize. The one who turns to one side or the other will perish with Lot’s wife who turned to look back, feeling sorry for the possessions she left behind.”

We are tempted to look back when walking along the rocky path of life—a path of hardship. I’ve never been locked away in a dungeon, but at times, when God led me away from the comfort of my possessions and the people I care about, I’ve questioned why life has to be so hard.

The apostle Paul says, “I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13). Looking ahead beats looking back. And looking beyond to eternity with Christ is where we should focus—even when life is uncertain. Especially when life is uncertain.

Dear heavenly Father, sometimes it’s easier to dwell in the memories of a comfortable past than it is to look forward to an uncertain, or even painful, future. I praise You, Lord, and thank You that the future isn’t unknown to You! Eternity with You awaits. Help me to look forward to that!