“But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” Genesis 19:26

Don’t Look Back

Sometimes this verse pops into my head and I once again must return to the Lord asking forgiveness.  

For more years than I care to admit or remember, I was stuck in a really rotten place, just like Lot and his family (OK, well not quite that bad). However, things in my life were slowly going downhill when God provided a way out for me. Mind you, the way out had been made available to me long before I decided to take Him up on it. He had offered many times, He put angels in my path who were willing to help, but I just wasn’t ready.

Finally, several years back, I finally waved the white flag, surrendered, and that’s when our gracious Father picked me up and removed me from a really rotten lifestyle I had gotten myself into which involved a “habit” that had ever so sneakily turned into an addiction (Psalm 18:16-19). This was nothing short of a miracle for me. From that point on, I have pursued Him with so much more enthusiasm than ever before. He has made 2 Corinthians 5:17 come alive to me. I’m a new person. I get to move forward and not live in the past. He has forgotten all the silly stuff from before and has a new plan for me and my life.

So here’s the kicker… sometimes I catch myself romanticizing those old days and missing parts of the old way of living. Can you believe it! He has allowed me to be free from my self-destructive sin, He has given me a fresh start and yet some days I don’t think I’m having quite as much “fun” as I used to. These are the days I quickly catch myself and cry out to God, begging Him to not turn me into a pillar of salt! I really do appreciate what You have done for me, God; oh, please forgive me for ever looking back!  

Our enemy often tries to deceive us into thinking we are missing out on something when we leave our “dirty rags” behind.  Far from it, sisters! We are not missing anything! When God delivers us from sin, we are FREE from it, and those chains are gone (Galatians 5:1).  Let us never cheapen the gift of GRACE that God has given us by looking back. Let’s keep our eyes on things above (Colossians 3:1) and keep moving forward into the awesome life we were given the moment we became His.    

“Oh Lord, forgive us when we fall into the world’s way of thinking and get caught in the enemy’s lies. Help us to live our lives in a way that reflects how very grateful we are for the freedom You gave us when You forgave our past mistakes. In Your Name we pray this, Jesus.”