Eyes On the Road

“Forget what is behind and strain towards the future” Philippians 3

I saw something amazing as I was driving down Highway 17 two weeks ago. The entire sky was covered with dark clouds with the exception of this one area. The picture does not adequately capture how amazing the real image was, and I think I know why.

At least four factors contributed to the low-level resolution of the picture. In order, 1) I was moving while 2) taking with my cell phone through 3) my shaded windshield because 4) I WAS DRIVING! At fifteen I thought it was a great responsibility to operate a car, stay in between the lines, and have everyone else on the road trust that I knew what I was doing. Apparently at thirty-one, I think I can cover all that, plus fumble for my cell phone, and take a picture. As distracted as I was chasing this picture, it could have been worse. The sun could have been behind me as I followed all of the steps I described.

The scripture above comes from one of Paul's letters to a new church start. He begs them to learn from past mistakes, but let them live in the past. As a minister, I often reflect on mistakes I have made in services, in meetings, or in pastoral care (there have been three total - one of each ever in my career....give or take) I listened as members rehash mistakes from previous months, years, and decades. Paul would ask us to stop looking behind us as we operate heavy machinery and look towards the future.

As the picture suggests; darkness may be behind us, but we will always have the chance to turn around and face the light.