Rear View

Let's go from a drive.
Let's just go out on the parkway and see where the road takes us.
As we're moving along. We notice the trees, the mountains, the scenery.
We notice that we're not alone on the road. Other cars and trucks pass by. We pass some them. We hear the roar of their engines. We hear the bass pumping from the young folks speeding.

A nice drive with friends and great music is always good for the soul.
While we're out, we want to check our surroundings to make sure all is well.
We want to stay safe.
We want to avoid any accidents or hinderances that will keep us from our destination.
Or we just want to enjoy the ride and not have any unnessessary hassles.
As we're moving along, I'll glance up and check my mirror to see what's behind us. And if we have to change lanes, I'll turn and make sure there's nothing in my blind spot. My friends will help. An extra set of eyes is always good.

And I contemplate. I notice the words on the passanger side mirror. There's a message that reads: "objects in mirror are closer than they appear."

And just like with our past iniquity or our former prisons. Sin is nearer than we think.

Scripture tells us in Genesis 4:7 "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

So, let me confess. I think about my past. I miss the old sins. They worked. They made me feel good. But they were killing me. For example, I was realizing that I was taking small hits of lust on the Internet. I wasn't going all out and looking at porn but a glimpse of flesh here, a person there, and I'm living on the edge. Not that I was actually looking for it but I was. In the back of my mind, I knew what I was doing but I wasn't plunging all the way.

A guy in a small group reminded me when he was discussing how his life had no boundaries and he did what he wanted. Then he drew closer to Jesus and a fence/boundary was put up. The boundary kept him safe but every once and a while he desired to go to the edge and look out and get a glimpse of the action. If he plays on the edge too much he'll fall back into the oblivion from which he was rescued.

I was doing the same thing. I was standing on a fense post. So when I look back in the mirror. It doesn't look so bad. It doesn't seem like it's that big a deal. But it's a lot closer than I think. And it's a lot larger than I think which also means it can do a lot more damage.

In the Scripture we learn that Cain killed his brother. He didn't submit to God. He didn't respond to the warning. Many times we don't either.

If we just do what's right.
If we just confess that we're hurting.
If we just pray.
If we just commune with God and others.
We don't have to drive alone.
We have support to see the blind spots in our lives.
We have accountability to remind us of the mac truck that's right behind us that looks like a toy but can crush me if I get its way.

Furthermore, I can't stare into the mirrors. I have to know what's in front of me as well or I could hit someone else. Scripture also reminds us in Luke 9:62: "Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

I can't look back. I can't get enticed with memories, fantasizes or even images.

It will kill me.

It could kill my friends.

Nothing just affects me but my community as well.

So, let's slow down and pull over and take a break. Grab some snacks. Use the restroom. We've got a long way to go.