Keep looking forward
When I was a young adult, my older brother had a small motorcycle. He was kind enough to let me try it out, but I wasn’t a good driver. I’d look at the ditch, worried that I would run into it–and I did. I didn’t understand an essential guideline–keep looking forward.
Don’t look back
In Genesis 19 we learn of the pending destruction of the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Two angels visited Lot’s house with the warning to leave Sodom, but Lot hesitated.
When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters and led them to safety out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away.” (Genesis 19:16-17)
But Lot delayed again, begging the angels to allow them refuge in another city instead. When Lot reached Zoar, the LORD rained burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah.
Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities–and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:25-26)
We are not told why Lot’s wife looked back or why she was killed. Perhaps she lagged behind the others and burning sulfur killed her while her family escaped. Scripture makes clear that she disobeyed the direction provided by the angels.
Keep looking forward
Since it’s impossible to look back at the same time we’re looking forward, it seems safer to focus on where we are going rather than where we have been. When distracted (as I was on the motorcycle) we lose our sense of direction. We might fall, wreck, or sin if we take our eyes away from our Lord and Savior.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 2:1b-2)
This past Thursday in my weekly study with Lighthouse Bible Studies, we read and discussed a wonderful article from Refresh Bible Study Magazine. “Learning to Move Forward When Your World Feels Shattered,” by Sandra Manning, is on page four of this fall 2025 issue, Forward, Don’t Quit, Don’t Stop Short, Don’t Turn Back. If you have a moment, I believe you will enjoy Sandra’s article as well as the others in this refreshing and inspiring online magazine (click on the Refresh link above to read).
Why should we look forward toward Jesus?
- He will guide our path
- Jesus is our role model
- With Him we can avoid the pitfalls, the stumbling blocks, and ditches
- He is our navigator so we don’t get lost on the journey
- Jesus is the Light of the world.
What distracts you from your focus? Can you share how you counteract distraction?
Worries and guilt have me looking backward. I have to remind myself that EVERYthing is better when I look to Jesus instead.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Priscilla. Your description fits me, too. Wishing you joy and blessings this week.
Amen. Look forward and rest in Jesus. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Oh, yes, Melissa! I’m seeking that rest with Jesus, too. Beautiful fall weather this week–perfect to get outside and soak up God’s goodness. Wishing you joy and sunshine.
There’s much distractions in my life during this season. Caregiving, work, homemaking, publishing, and grandchildren are blessings, but also distractions. Focusing ahead and looking toward Jesus is my main goal in life, but I find myself often distracted. And the past year I’ve struggled with looking back at all my sins, mistakes, and failures. This reminder to look forward is timely teaching. Thank you, Katherine.
Lisa, I catch myself looking back with regrets, too. But we know He is with us on our journey, with us in the trials of today and sharing joy with us along our pathway with Him. Praying for you.
That sounds like a great article, Katherine! Thanks for telling about it!
I hope you enjoy, Kathy. Refresh is so full of inspiration and the illustrations are amazing. Peace and blessings!
What a wonderful (and painful) lesson from the motorcycle. It is so important to keep looking forward and focused on our Heavenly Father. Thanks Katherine
Later I learned that it’s equally important to look forward, where I want to go, when riding a horse, too. But, especially vital when staying on the path with our Lord. I’m grateful for your encouragement, Yvonne.
I’ve never tried to drive a motorcycle. Kudos to you for trying! In life, it’s so easy to focus on the dangers, the regrets, the losses. Great reminder to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Candyce. I agree, we often focus on the negatives and the challenges we face rather than recognizing that He is with us through all those trials. Blessings!
I can identify with the bike ride. One of the things they taught in the rider class my husband took was “you will go where you are looking.” Your example shows us how we can look in the wrong direction spiritually also.
Sounds like I needed that bike ride training! I discovered it’s true in riding bicycles and horses, too. I expect you’ve had a great deal of experience with motorcycles. You are a brave woman, my friend.
I can only imagine what it would be like to be told you must leave everything at once. I don’t want to be so tied to the things of this world that, like Lot’s wife, I can’t leave them to follow God.
I hadn’t looked at Lot’s forced departure from that perspective before–of course there were doubts and fears. I can identify with the woman’s fear of what was ahead and the desire to hold on to what was familiar. Thank you for sharing your insights, Debbie. I agree, nothing matters more than God’s will for us–He will take care of us if we are obedient.
Wise words and a perfect introduction. “I’d look at the ditch, worried that I would run into it–and I did.” We go where we look, don’t we?
Yes, Diana, “we go where we look.” Your response is another reminder that we must always look to our Lord as our guide. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.