Several weeks ago, I was driving
on the freeway a distance that took about 45 minutes to drive. About 20 minutes
from my destination, I noticed a truck following me very closely. Not only was
this truck following me, but this truck also had its brights on. I changed
lanes and then became frustrated because the truck changed into the same lane
behind me! The truck followed me for about 10 minutes with its brights on. I
started glaring into my rear-view mirror at the truck (that always
works ;) ). Because the brights were on and I was glaring so intently, when I
turned to look back at the road, I could no longer see. I was blinded by what
was going on behind me. In fact, it took my eyes several seconds to be able to
see what was going on in front of me again.
I thought about that experience
and realized that Heavenly Father was teaching me a valuable lesson. And with a
New Year approaching, I feel it is important to explore that lesson in a little
more detail.
I believe that Father in Heaven
was teaching me not to focus on the annoyances that are in my past. In fact, I
think that's the point, they are in the past. They are behind me. I am on the
road, in a car that is leaving those things behind. They are not current for
me. They are behind me.
The Apostle, Paul, said,
"This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and
reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians
3:13–14)."
When we make the past our focus,
instead of the future, it indicates a lack of faith. As Elder Holland said,
"I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for
yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be
learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing
experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn
and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead
and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith
always has to do with blessings and truths and events that
will yet be efficacious in our lives." So yes, look back and
learn, and then be done! When we have faith, we look forward and we let go of
what is behind us. We let go of things people have done to hurt us-whether
intentional or unintentional. We let go of relationships when it is time to let
go. We let go of our own mistakes. We let go of anything that keeps us from
moving forward and becoming.
It is time to let go of the
things that are keeping us from safely moving forward. Do not be blinded by
what is behind you. Look forward, stay safe, and live in faith.
"Look ahead and remember
that faith is always pointed toward the future." -Elder Holland
