As I was driving back from a rodeo with a gal pal, God spoke to me like a flash of lightning. I was headed North on I-35, when He drew an analogy in my mind. All of this wisdom could have only been divinely placed there in my brain by His hand. Seemingly random, I was fulfilled by His gentle thoughts in my mind.
It all started when I looked in my mirror. As I looked back into my rearview, I focused on the headlights behind me. Then, in my glance towards what was directly in front of me, I realized that driving on a highway by keeping your eyes behind your car would be fatal. And stupid. Sometimes, God wants you to leave the past in the past. It's all about surrendering what's behind AND ahead of you. That way you can fix your eyes squarely on the road in front of you. "I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize." Philippians 3:13
And then, more comparisons between driving and God's will for me flooded into my brain.
I realized that you have to keep your gaze on the path ahead when coming to a stop. You also have to glance towards any past danger creeping up on your bumper before applying pressure to the breaks. You heed the sign/warning ahead, glance quickly in the mirror for danger, and THEN you stop. And when calls us to stop, we should. His rest can be the preparation for a sprint directly in front of us."My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14
When changing lanes/paths, you check for cars behind or to the side of you in the side mirror. That way you don't crash. We take inventory on the Ebeneezers/choices made in our past in order to adequately make a decision for our future. He teaches us how to learn from the past and then MOVE ON. The same goes for changing paths, lanes, careers, relationships, living spots, etc. "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21
You need speed limits. Those signs have been dutifully placed for your safety. However, everyone is heeding a relative voice inside of their head telling them to go faster or slower. We pay attention to the limit He has set for us specifically. We don't try and speed irrationally ahead or fearfully crawl as to hold up the heavenly highways."I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all." Ecclesiastes 9:11
You drive with a purpose so that you save gas and so that you don't get aimlessly lost. That destination is in sight. It is plugged into the GPS for your security. We don't wander the wide path but drive towards the Kingdom along the straight and narrow. "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way." Matthew 7:13
We should glance behind, but not keep our focus there."But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." Matthew 6:33