When Your Feet Move Forward but Your Heart Looks Back

Mercy gracious now, friend, scoot that there lil’ basket right on off the porch swing and set yourself down on this ol’ front porch before them warm biscuits turn plum cold and hard enough to patch up a pothole. We need to talk about lookin’ backward. An ol’ mule can’t plow a straight row while gawkin’ over the fence, and neither can a Christian follow Jesus very well while keepin’ one eye on the life Jesus called him or her to be leavin’ from.

In Luke 9:61, a man told Jesus, “I will follow You, Lord; but first...” That there’s some downright trouble. “Lord” and “but first” make mighty uncomfortable neighbors.

Jesus answered with the picture of a plow in Luke 9:62, which says, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”  A farmer had to sho’-nuff’ keep his attention focused forward because where his eyes went affected where the plow went. Jesus was plum talkin’ about a whole lot more than farmin’. He was exposin’ divided loyalty.

Lot’s wife gives us another mighty soberin’ picture. God was leadin’ her family away from destruction, yet Genesis 19:26 says she looked back. Later Jesus simply warned, “Remember Lot’s wife,” Luke 17:32.

Sometimes our feet leave before our hearts do.

Israel sho’-nuff’ did the same thing. When the wilderness became real uncomfortable, Numbers 11:4–6 tells us they started rememberin’ Egypt’s food. Ain’t that something? They remembered the supper and downright forgot the slavery.

That’s just what yesterday can do. It remembers the pleasure and plum misplaces the chains.

Paul shows us a much better direction in Philippians 3:13–14. He forgets what lies behind and plum presses toward what lies ahead.

And here’s another promise for the road. Isaiah 43:18–19 says, “Forget the former things... See, I am doing a new thing!”

Father, show me anything my heart keeps reaching backward to recover. Help me stop romanticizing what You have called me to leave. Give me courage to surrender fully, keep my eyes on Jesus, and trust the new thing You are doing ahead of me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now tie your bonnet on real tight, latch that there gate, and keep headed yonder to the rest of your chores for today, friend. An ol’ crawdad may travel backward, but that there ain’t your callin’. Yesterday may sho’-nuff’ explain some pf your scars, but it don’t own tomorrow. Egypt always looks a whole lot prettier when you got to forgettin’ the chains. Keep your eyes lookin’ forward because God is already doin’ His workin’ in the field ahead.

With joy,

Gwen