Check Your Mirrors

Have you ever considered driving your car around in reverse? Imagine using your rearview mirror and navigating backward down the road! I know it sounds crazy, but some of us get stuck on this course going through life.

Think about the windshield. Of course, the windshield is wide and probably the most important piece of glass in your car. If your windshield is dirty or your view is blocked, you have no vision! You cannot go forward without being able to see where you are going. There is no way to maneuver a vehicle properly without looking through the windshield.

Consider, also, the rear view mirror. It is small and placed in just the right position to see behind you. The side view mirrors are similarly placed, just in the right position for you to scan for obstacles. These mirrors are for reflection, using them helps your peripheral vision, but you don't use them as your primary source.

Sometimes we get stuck looking behind us. We revel in the past or wallow in decisions made that are history. We cannot change these things. We need to check the mirrors for reflection and be grateful for our past. We can celebrate victories, learn from our mistakes and be willing to move forward.

As we move into the holiday season, be encouraged. The future is as wide open as your windshield! Check your mirrors and move forward.


Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

m

Ggrrr!

Sigh.
It's one of those days that I need to heed my own advice. I have heard myself complaining and grumbling. As a Pastor's wife, I cannot even tell you how many times I have said any number of these 'wise' words in attempt to encourage and lift wounded spirits, including my own!

Love God, love others.
We are saved to serve, not saved to sit.
We worship an audience of One, it doesn't matter what 'everyone' else is doing.
I know it seems like only a few do the work of many, but we still do it for Jesus!
Don't let someone else's poor attitude take you down too!
You can only be responsible to speak and live truth, you cannot be responsible for another's choice.
Think about the intentions of the person, I'm sure they didn't mean any harm.
Sometimes the best response is none at all.


In the Old Testament book of Exodus, Moses was leading the people of Israel out of slavery from Egypt. During that time of wandering in the desert, the Lord provided for every need of His people. Yet, they still grumbled and complained. The Hebrew word used for 'grumble' actually means to lodge, stop over, pass the night, to abide. Wow...so grumbling stops the action of moving forward. When we grumble or complain, we cease being effective in our walk with God.

We are all guilty. But we can start fresh! We can stop grumbling and start praising God for His provision. It's almost time for Thanksgiving....make a list. Be grateful.

I'm speaking to myself today, but maybe you need to hear this word too.
I have grumbled long enough. I wonder what I will become if I pray and praise instead of grumble and complain.

God provides. Be willing to receive and praise Him.

m