I was sitting at my desk the other morning looking over my Facebook timeline, when I noticed 2013 in big bold font at the top right hand of the page, with the following tag: “See Your 2013 Year in Review. Look back at your 20 biggest moments from the past year”. So I did.
Several milestones jumped out at me, of which I won’t bore you with in this article, and brought a smile to my face, a tear of joy to my eye and a renewed excitement in my heart. However, as I began to reflect more on these “popular post” of the year, I was reminded of some events behind those moments not posted, not brought to light or made public for all to see. In an equal instant as the previous joy, my heart sank, tears began to stream down my face and grief filled my heart.
Behind every public post, there are private moments the world will never know. Such as bad decisions, missed opportunities, or uncontrollable circumstances. In my life and family, I have taken great strides to keep my business out of the public eye. My wife and I are very private people. This is how we minimize drama in our lives, and by all means don’t engage in the drama of others. Nevertheless, there are real things that take place to cause us to respond, overcome and eventually post a win.
One of my favorite (yes, I said my favorite) movies from when my children were younger was The Lion King. There is a quote from a very inspirational character in the movie that is appropriate for what I was experiencing. If you have seen it, you will recall Pumba, the warthog, and Timon, the meerkat, are talking to Simba, the young deposed heir to the throne of the Savanna Kingdom:
Pumba: “It’s like my buddy Timon always says: you got to put your behind in your past.”
Timon: No, no no. Amateur. Sit down before you hurt yourself. It’s “You got to put your past behind you.”
Who would have thought this humorous slip of the tongue could reveal a profound truth to resonate in my spirit. Then I was reminded of a scripture in Isaiah 43:18-19, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Simba thought he had committed a great crime against his father, Mufasa the King. Others around him, his uncle, convinced him that he was to blame for his father’s death. His guilt and shame distracted him from who he really is and the destiny that was before him. Although Pumba misspoke, he provides great insight to our past.
In Genesis 19, Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and his family are allowed to escape the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah. In verse 17, the angel warns them to “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” As they were fleeing the imminent destruction of their home city, Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt, according to verse 26.
Like Lot’s wife, looking back paralyzes us, and those around us. Life is not what is behind us; it is in front of us. Not many days from now, 2013 will be long gone. We can never get it back. All the failures and missed opportunities can never be fixed or seized. Luke 9:62; Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
We still have a fresh brand new year ahead of us. 2014 presents us with many opportunities. Be encouraged by Philippians 3:13-14; Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
We can allow people, or even our self, to beat us up over past failures, missed opportunities or circumstances beyond our control. We can be like Lot’s wife and allow the past, good or bad, to paralyze us and destroy our future. Or…we can take the advice of an animated warthog and “Put your behind in your past.”
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
James Miller Jr
“Missionary to a Generation”
*Published in the December 19, 2013 issue of the Port Aransas South Jetty newspaper. via Put your behind in your past – Grace Community Church of Port Aransas.
