Rev. Ray and Pat Amos
Luke 17:32
“Remember Lot’s Wife.”
Those words of Jesus are to remind us that there is nothing behind us that can save us now. Salvation is always a present thing. Neither is there anything to go back to. Christ is alive and goes before us, and if we are going to walk with Him it will not be yesterday. As the song says, “Yesterday is gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine. Lord help me today show me the way one day at a time.”
“Do not look back,” those are simple instructions, but not as easy to follow as it may seem. Lot’s wife was told not to look back at the destruction of Sodom, but she did. You see, looking back is the first step of returning to the very life that you are fleeing. That happens every day.
We often look at the past through rose-tinted glasses while our future is as Paul wrote, “like seeing through a glass darkly.” That is why I choose to enter 2023 with the prayer from a Christmas Carol: “Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray.”
2022 was a difficult year in our world. If we keep returning to it in our conversations, we will only spread its despair into the New Year. It may be necessary to do some painful exercises of positivity in our speech and praising the Lord. It can be painful because some of us might be exercising some unused soul muscle. Why should we dwell on our past aches and pains when we can tell of the faithfulness of our God through whatever we have experienced.
“Then let us, with the Spirit’s daring,
step from the past and leave behind
our disappointment, guilt, and grieving,
seeking new paths, and sure to find.
Christ is alive and goes before us
to show and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings.
Our God is making all things new.”
Grace and Peace, Rev Ray
“Link to YouTube Video – New Beginnings
