Moving Forward By Looking Back

With less than a month to go in 2015, it is fair enough to say enough time has elapsed for me to render an evaluation of the year writ large. Barring the miraculous or the surprisingly tragic, it is fair to say that, on balance, 2015 earned a split decision.

For every good blessing we celebrated it seemed there occurred some moment of darkness that caused us to pause and reflect on the fragile nature of life, relationships, or even our position in the world. I proudly shared my first two novels (kick bACK and nutcrACKer stroll from the "30 Miles Out" series) as well as the first edition of my devotional workbook series which shares its name with this column. At the same time, though, the world found itself rocked with the bold emergence of ISIS and the acts perpetrated on innocents from Paris to Mali to a Russian jetliner. On the home front, we were forced to say "goodbye" to two of our original trio of furry trouble. Though the canine team now resembles a band, those two will be sorely missed and thought of daily.

While it might be tempting to view all of those through a zero-sum prism, I instead find comfort in Philippians 4:13 -- "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." A friend recently gave me a beautiful gift in the form of this Scripture on a pair of dog tags to wear daily as a clear reminder of the promise held in this verse. It is a promise that, while often misinterpreted or misunderstood, is powerful nonetheless.

Though my faith in Christ and what He accomplished for us on Calvary, Philippians 4:13 does not, as might appear at first blush, ensure that I will be able to fly simply because I want to (I won't). It does not guarantee that I will win an Ironman triathlon simply by entering (I won't even try). It certainly will not make me a lock to play center field for the Cardinals (I won't even think about how both age and a stupefying lack of talent leaves me woefully unqualified on both counts). What that passage DOES, though, is assure me the power to endure everything, good and bad.

The need to weather life's storms is fairly obvious. It is a true blessing to know that when life is darkest, God's Word will light our path. When we are weak, hobbled, or simply feel we can go no further on our own, it is a blessing to know that we may simply lean into Him for support. At our lowest moments, anchored by doubt or failure, it is a blessing to realize that life's heavy lifting has already been accomplished by Jesus Christ almost two thousand years ago. In short, our hard-times insurance policy is in full effect.

But what about the good times? Why might we need to "endure" them? From personal experience, I can honestly say that the three-headed monster of pride, ignorance, and complacency is always prowling nearby.

When I achieve a level of personal or professional success, I have to remember that I did not do that on my own. God's Grace and Providence allowed for those moments.

There is much I do not know about the needs of others, the pain and suffering of others, or even the victories of others. Were it not for God' gentle reminders such as Philippians 2:4 ("Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."), it would be embarrassingly easy for me to be consumed by a different three-headed monster -- Me, Myself, and I.

Moreover, those needs for assistance, understanding, or simple fellowship could easily fall by the wayside were I to surrender myself to the complacency that appears to be the human default setting.

Therefore, it is with these lows and highs in mind that I look toward the future, confident in God's promise, confident in Christ's victory, and confident that I can endure all things past, present, and in the future.

It is this confidence that allows me to look to the road ahead and realize I have the ability to move Onward!