Ladies Corner
Looking Forward, Not Behind
Leaving the past behind seems impossible when it involves people we love. However, there is no denying that when we choose to serve God, many times we must also choose to loosen the ties with our loved ones who refuse to accept God’s truth. For Christians who do not come from a faithful Christian family, this is a tough reality. It is a battle that, often, feels unfair. Choosing between God and physical family may be hard, but examining God’s word will help us understand that in growing closer to Him, we move farther away from sin. Unfortunately, that will include family and friends who stubbornly refuse to give up the sin that separates them from God. Seeing our loved ones choose to remain entangled in sin is heart breaking, but we must continue looking forward to the goal.
First, we should remember that when we submit to God’s plan of salvation, we become part of His family, and that is a tremendous blessing!
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29)
Also, Jesus declared that His family members are those who do the will of the Father:
While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50)
Therefore, becoming a child of God offers the blessing of spiritual family. Much comfort can be gained in this blessing as we struggle with the harsh reality of losing physical family to sin. Our perspective is critical! Too often we tend to focus on what we “give up” instead of recognizing the multitude of blessings we “gain” in Christ. Jesus reassures us that when we choose to sacrifice earthly and physical things, even relationships, for His sake, He is aware of that choice, and will reward us spiritually!
Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Mark 10:28-30)
Consider the account of Lot’s wife. You are probably very familiar with the mistake Lot’s wife made in looking back at the city as she was fleeing from destruction to safety (Genesis 19:12-29). Lot and his family were given an opportunity to escape the punishment of God, but it must have been very difficult for his wife to leave behind her home, and possibly other family members. Although we usually criticize her sharply for that choice, how many times do we struggle with the same thing? God has given us an opportunity to escape eternal punishment, but it is not easy for us to forget about what, or whom, we are leaving behind. However, we know that if we continue to look back at destructive ways and the people who refuse to submit to God’s commands, it will be impossible for us to effectively work toward our goal. Jesus emphasizes this when several disciples declare they will follow Him, but their actions give priority to the physical.
And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house. But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:61-62)
In submitting to God, we have put our hand to the plow. We have committed to work in His kingdom and serve Him faithfully. We must not look back at what is behind, or we will face the devastating consequence.
Now consider the inspiring life of Ruth, which is recorded for us in the Old Testament book bearing her name. She is a beautiful example of moving forward without looking back. As a Moabite woman, she was brought up amid pagan worship. Famine in the land of Judah brought an Israelite family to her country, and Ruth eventually married into that family. This allowed opportunity for her to learn about the true God. Ruth’s mother-in-law became a widow while living in Moab, and also lost her two sons, leaving Ruth a widow as well. When Naomi decided to go back to her home in Judah, Ruth insisted on going with her. Ruth’s desire to serve Naomi and God was stronger than her desire to stay in her own country with her own family.
But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.” (Ruth 1:16-17)
Ruth left everything behind… her family, friends, pagan worship, and home country. She worked hard to provide for her mother-in-law, all the while, bearing good fruit. It was Ruth’s kindness, devotion, and dedicated labor which led to many blessings from God. She was noticed by a man named Boaz, who later became her husband, and Ruth was even blessed to be in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:1-17)!
So, how do we look forward without looking behind? We must recognize that as Christians, our family consists of those who also commit themselves to serving God. Our spiritual family will work alongside us, encourage us, correct us, and help us reach our goals. Friends and family members who refuse to listen to God’s word will distract us, discourage us, and hinder us from working toward our goals. We must be busy with the work God has given us, and that includes teaching lost souls the gospel. We should continue to teach those who will listen. Unfortunately, there will be some who refuse to see the truth. We must move forward, keep our hand on the plow, and not look back. Our hearts will break, but we must recognize our blessings in Christ and be mindful of all that is gained by being a child of God. Do not choose to focus on sacrifice! Choose to see blessings instead, realizing that God knows our sacrifices, and rewards our faithfulness!
