My friend, Jason, and I were
recently on a two-day motorbike ride in Florida. When we woke up on beautiful
Cedar Key, we decided to get an early start before the storms had a chance to
build. As we left the comforts of the island behind us and rode over the
bridge, it became obvious we were in for a wet, and at times, scary ride. I grabbed
my phone and took this picture as I crossed the bayou. As you can see, we were
heading straight into the dark and ominous veil of storm clouds ahead of us.
It wasn’t until I uploaded
the picture that I saw the reflection in the mirror of the bright blue skies
behind me. The image captures a cool moment of contrast where we are leaving
the comfort and safety of a clear day to enter the dangerous wet roads ahead in
order to reach our destination.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you
may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have
overcome the world." John 16:33
I think many of us live
looking longingly in the mirror of life. That is, life does not stop or slow
down. We desire to go back to the “good ole days” when things were “simpler”.
Some people reading this have storms in the mirror and only see darker super
storms in their future.
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| Before the ride |
Regardless of what’s in our
mirror, we cannot be glued to what’s being reflected because that is only a
memory while the reality of actual clouds, hard times, good times, and unknown
twists and turns are rapidly coming at us. Glancing at the mirror is normal and
healthy; staring at it will inevitably cause us to crash.
Our future is coming, we
can’t stop it, but we can and should live in the knowledge that what is in the
mirror is there to stay and how we respond to the coming moments is what
determines what’s in our mirror tomorrow.
We had to punch through the
dangerous rain to get home. What will you do with today? Will you continue to
long for the images of your past? Will you continue to lament about the
destructive storms in your mirror? Or will you choose to believe in the words
of Christ and live knowing He has overcome the worries of today and will lead
you through the storms of tomorrow?
“They encouraged them to continue in the faith,
reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.”
Acts 14:22
God assured us that life
would be difficult. He asks us to remain focused through the complexities
knowing that we must travel this road to get to the One we love.
This life will take us down;
its meandering whiplash turns are daunting, demoralizing, and deadly. In the end, it is
our foundation and focus that either gets us through or pulverizes our will to
drive into the foreboding unknown. For Jason and me on that ride, it turns out,
we barely got wet. The storms broke up before we got there and all we got was
some sprinkles. I wonder what hurricanes, tornadoes, and super cells God will
diminish, remove, or carry you through.
“We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We
get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” 2 Cor. 4:9
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| What the clouds turned out to be |
Get on your bike, glance at
what’s behind you, and ride into the wind knowing no matter how bleak it looks,
God never abandons you if you have put your faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
