Rear View Mirror.

Rear View Mirror
Written By: Richie L

We look at it every time we drive. We use it see what is approaching from the rear or what may be directly behind us. Some of us use it to check our hair or makeup. Some watch our children in the backseat. We all find ourselves glancing at it continuously on our journey in the car. But when you leave the car, do you leave the rear view mirror behind? Or do you take it with you?

Do you find yourself looking into your past, watching it play out again? Oftentimes we have difficulty managing the weight of our past, forcing us to have difficulty breathing, as the pressure mounts in our chest. Sin, shame, guilt, we all carry these burdens. We may sometimes see ourselves standing there with nothing in our hands, because we feel like nothing, empty and numb. Fake smiles, forced prayers, just getting through the day. Giving others the hope we don't find for ourselves.

Yes, we are all flawed sinners. We try to carry our sin around with us, or we try to bury it and hide it. Sometimes we can't see past what we've done, so how can God? We think, "How can He still love me, when He is perfect and I am flawed. I know what I should do, I know what is right, but I still find myself sinking to a sunken place."

"Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest of your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT)

There are many things we all wish we could go back and change. But we can't. So let it go. Stop trying to carry the weight of your past and let God have it. Leave your sin, regrets and guilt at the foot of the cross. For He took our shame and our loss, saying "I forgive you" when Jesus hung there, on that cross. All God ever wanted from us, was just us; our heart and a relationship with Him. So stop looking in that rear view mirror all the time. Just let it go. Move forward with your eyes fixed on Him.

As the Psalmist writes "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." (Psalms 37: 23-24 NLT). So extend out your hand, and reach not for the rear view mirror, but rather reach out for God. Let His peace come over you, know that you are forgiven, all you need to do is ask.