Rear View Mirrors

What’s in your rear view mirror for 2011?  Did you meet those New Year’s resolutions? (Do you even remember your resolutions?)  Did you meet performance objectives for your work?  Stay within budget?  It’s the time of year for self-reflection.

Maybe, though, we need to focus on more than a simple evaluation.  If we want to know where God is taking us, our first task should be to look back on the ground we’ve already covered with Him.

So, with that in mind, think back to 2011:

•  Did you celebrate any victories?
• Where did God show up in an amazing way?
• What were the specific things you very clearly heard Him say to you?

Whatever the answers, WRITE THEM DOWN!!! You may think that they’ll stay forever engraved in your memory, but unfortunately, we have a tendency to forget.  Even the really good stuff.

Why bother to do this?  Well, for one thing, it’s great to know where you’ve been so you’ll recognize it if you detour through there again.   Life is too short to be battling the same wars over and over, but so often we end up walking in circles.  So if you have experienced a victory, build an altar in your mind there – it’s a done deal, signed, sealed, and delivered to you from the hands of your Almighty God.

Looking back is critical to building your faith.  There will be days in 2012 where you feel like you are wandering in the desert.  There may be times when you can’t hear God’s voice, much less know His will for you and your ministry.  You may be in the midst of yet another refining fire. 

When you’re stuck, remember what’s behind you.  Look briefly in the rear view mirror, and remind yourself of the road you’ve already traveled.  The times that God miraculously came through for you.  Quiet times where you knew without a doubt that you were hearing from God.  The hard fought lessons learned from experience.  Stories and encouragement from people you have ministered to, reminding you of God’s ability to use you. 

The more you have in your rear view mirror, the easier it is to hope and trust God’s provision.  God did it for you once, He’ll do it again – so you can have yet another faith-builder in your life.

Let’s begin 2012 with the intention of journaling and celebrating how He is moving among us, storing up our own inventory of faith builders for the challenging days that will inevitably come.  Make it a habit of sharing them with those closest to you, so that we may “spur one another on.”  And if you’d like to share any of your 2011 look backs in the comments below, post away! 

"Through many dangers, toils, and snares

I have already come

‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far.

And grace will lead me home."  --"Amazing Grace," John Newton