Press On

I saw it out of the corner of my eye, flittering at the window. I turned from where I was enjoying my morning cup of coffee to see a hummingbird at my kitchen window. It fluttered and then landed on the suction cup feeder right next to me on the window.

I tried not to make any quick movements for fear it would fly away. My hand crept to my phone to open my camera. The bird leaned down in quick spurts to drink and then looked right and left, checking for danger.

Dip, drink, check.
Dip, drink, check.

Its wings fluttered once or twice as it moved to a different drinking location on the feeder, until finally it settled on the middle.

Dip, drink, check.
Dip, drink, check.

But then the hummingbird did something I’ve never seen one do before. First it looked up as if it saw something on the house above it. Then it stretched its tiny neck all the way back, looking upside down behind it. I thought maybe it was stretching at first, but then it didn’t move, staying in that position at least a full minute or so.

I sat watching it, wondering what it was seeing, when I realized I should move in closer to get a picture. With its neck stretched back, it wouldn’t be able to see me coming.

I continued watching it and chuckled to myself when I thought of how that tiny bird with its miniature ruffled feather neck resembled myself. Sometimes I’m so consumed at what’s behind me, I miss what’s coming ahead.

God recently pointed out how I am so consumed with sharing all He has done in my life, that I have become content to live in the past. “Let me tell you what God DID.” (past tense) Like it’s a one-time thing and He is done. Which, by the way, He is NOT. Not done. At least that’s what He revealed to me.

“There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” Philippians 1:6 The Message

I’m so busy turning around pointing out God’s path in the past, that I’m missing what He is doing right now. He’s still working on me, and as that verse says, He will continue to work on me until Jesus returns.

The Bible has quite a few examples of God saying, “Don’t look back!” Remember Lot’s wife? Lot and his wife lived in a sin-filled city. The city was so vile, God wanted to destroy it all, but He was merciful and allowed Lot and his family to escape. The angels sent to save Lot hurried his family to safety and told them not to look back. “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26) Some say God was harsh, but in His Sovereignty, He knew the motive and the heart of Mrs. Lot. Perhaps she was looking back and longing for the immorality of life there. Only God knows.

Here are a few more verses about keeping our eyes ahead.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Philippians 3:13

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19

Maybe you can relate. But maybe what you are turned around looking at is not a positive thing. Maybe it’s a hurt or a past behavior that haunts you. Maybe it’s a health scare. Maybe it was a bad financial decision. An abortion. An infidelity. A death.

Whatever it is, sweet friend, it’s time we turned back around. It’s time to look forward and see what God has in store for today.

Let’s press on.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14