Looking out the Windshield
by Pastor Dan
I remember as a young man, I could not wait until I got my license to drive. Now, growing up on the farm, I was already driving on the road, but there were limits to how far I could go. I wanted to see more, explore more, and enjoy the sights and sounds of places I had not been able to up to this point. The day finally came when I went to get my driver’s license. I had to wait to ride with an instructor. As we pulled out on the road, I will never forget the one thing that he said over and over to me. Glance at the rearview mirror, but your main responsibility is what you see out of the front windshield.
As I look at the rearview mirror of 2022, I see exhaustion, frustration, sadness, pain, hurt and fatigue. While I do also see blessings from God also, sometimes it feels like they pale in comparison to everything else. As my eyes shift from the rearview mirror to the windshield, my mind remembers the prophetic word that the prophet Isaiah spoke: “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isiah 40:31.
Will I still experience some of those things in 2023 that I see in the rearview mirror? Yes. But I have hope in the Lord that will strengthen me, allow me to run and not grow weary, walk and not faint!
I thought it might be a good idea to include in this article some scriptures that will help you put your focus out the windshield.
“Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:23-24
“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18
“Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.” Psalm 98:1.
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
“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 43:19
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11
So, as 2023 comes into focus, I encourage you, with hope in Jesus, to keep your main focus out the windshield.
Praying blessings over you in 2023
-Pastor Dan
I remember as a young man, I could not wait until I got my license to drive. Now, growing up on the farm, I was already driving on the road, but there were limits to how far I could go. I wanted to see more, explore more, and enjoy the sights and sounds of places I had not been able to up to this point. The day finally came when I went to get my driver’s license. I had to wait to ride with an instructor. As we pulled out on the road, I will never forget the one thing that he said over and over to me. Glance at the rearview mirror, but your main responsibility is what you see out of the front windshield.
As I look at the rearview mirror of 2022, I see exhaustion, frustration, sadness, pain, hurt and fatigue. While I do also see blessings from God also, sometimes it feels like they pale in comparison to everything else. As my eyes shift from the rearview mirror to the windshield, my mind remembers the prophetic word that the prophet Isaiah spoke: “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isiah 40:31.
Will I still experience some of those things in 2023 that I see in the rearview mirror? Yes. But I have hope in the Lord that will strengthen me, allow me to run and not grow weary, walk and not faint!
I thought it might be a good idea to include in this article some scriptures that will help you put your focus out the windshield.
“Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:23-24
“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18
“Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.” Psalm 98:1.
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
“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 43:19
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11
So, as 2023 comes into focus, I encourage you, with hope in Jesus, to keep your main focus out the windshield.
Praying blessings over you in 2023
-Pastor Dan
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