One bright shiny New Year’s Day my father decided it was time for me to learn to drive. After three aborted attempts and many tears (on both our parts) he decided to enroll me in Drivers’ Training. My instructor, Mr. Carpenter, gave me words of wisdom the first day that have stayed with me – “when you drive don’t focus on where you are but where you want to go. The car will go where your eyes are focused.” At the time, I thought he was talking about the stores along the road, the cute guy standing in his front yard or the carload of people beside me, because I discovered as I paid attention to the things around me, my 2000 pound car would go in that direction. I have discovered since, those were important life lessons. He also taught me not to look at the nose of the car (current position) but further down the road where I was headed. According to his theory, the rear-view mirror was not a place to stare but merely a point of reference to make sure nothing was overtaking me.
As 2019 unfolds before us, I am reminded of those driving lessons. God has set a new year in front of us. We can look at the circumstances – stock market going up and down; health issues; personal financial issues; family problems – or we can fix our sights on what is beyond all that, which is God. My focus on Him will keep my car (my life) running straight and true. Looking at the front of the car (current circumstances) or at the other distractions along the road will only cause me to end up in a ditch of my own making. Spending too much time looking back at the past and past mistakes will rob me of today’s joys. We need to be aware of current circumstances, but to concentrate on them and not on God’s promises only leads to disaster.
The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13-14 - Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
I think Paul must have taken driving lessons from his own Mr. Carpenter because the message is the same. Focus yourself beyond the present circumstances, beyond the past failures, and look to Jesus who keeps our path straight.
As the old chorus says – Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.