Kayaking IV: Don’t Look Back

My next instruction was to not concern myself with what was behind me. If a wave was billowing up, turning to look would pull me to the left or the right and set me up for defeat. If a big wave was forming behind me, I just needed to keep aiming straight ahead. Jesus said in Luke 9:62b,

“No one who puts his hand to the plow

and looks back

is fit for the kingdom of God.” 

Once we walk through that door of salvation, we should be Kingdom focused and moving ahead with all eyes on Christ. Are we focused on our past? Why did Lot’s wife look back at Sodom and Gomorrah? Of what was she having trouble letting go? Lagging behind in the things targeted for God’s wrath is dangerous.

Using the image of a kayak and a wave, anything behind us should work to propel us forward in Christ; not knock us down or off course. He can use our past experiences of being wronged or hurt to strengthen us and minister to others. Even that most heinous sin that we still can’t believe we committed, when we repent, should cause us to rejoice in our Savior who died to cover and cleanse us. He can use it all.

Don’t be stalled or dragged off course by what’s behind. Let the Lord use those things to propel you safely toward the finish line.

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own.

But one thing I do:

forgetting what lies behind

and straining forward to what lies ahead,

I press on toward the goal for the prize

of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” 

Philippians 3:13–14