Roger and the Rear View Mirror

Several years ago when I was in college, my wife and I experienced the joy of scraping by on Ramen noodles and a beat up old Ford Tempo. This particular jalopy was a rusted out hand-me-down from my gracious uncle, and was held together with duct tape and metal clothes hangers. Each day, I would honor the legacy of Mr. Henry Ford by jumping in my white wonder and race from work to school as I chipped away at the requirements for my undergrad degree. 

On one particular occasion, I was running late to class and the rearview mirror of my dilapidated death trap just, randomly, fell off. I mean it literally just fell off…out of the blue, onto my lap.

I walked into class, set the mirror on my professor’s desk, and quietly made my way to an open desk…and neither of us said a word. I don’t remember at all what the topic was that evening, but I definitely won’t forget Dr. Morris randomly looking over at my mirror mid-lecture and bursting into laughter. 

Living without a rear-view mirror reminds me of my amazing friend Roger, who is a counselor, a grandpa, and the owner of one glorious white beard. The guy just oozes grace and wisdom. I was struggling a while back with some hurt I had experienced and I didn’t know quite how to respond to it. Roger explained to me that grief is like a room where it’s good to leave the door open and unlocked ... but I also don’t have to live in there. 

This insight from Roger brought to mind something the ancient prophet Isaiah once said. Speaking on behalf of God, Isaiah reminds the Hebrews about how once they were slaves,  how they were rescued, and how they literally watched the seas part in front of them. And then, after deliberately stopping to remind them of all these big, miraculous things they have experienced, the very next words are (and I quote), “forget all that.” (The Hebrew literally translates as “don’t think about that stuff” and “don’t look at that stuff.”) Why? “Because I am doing a new thing” God says. 

And it’s true. If you spend your time staring at the past you will miss all the beauty, all the wonder, all the joy, all the possibility that is right in front of you ---  because you can’t see what’s in front of you if you are only looking backwards. There’s a reason those rear- view mirrors are small.

Which brings me back to my friend Roger. Roger has random patents on some cool inventions, he has a fireman’s pole and a foosball table in his living room, and he constructed a mile long zip line off his roof because he was apparently bored on a Saturday. I spoke with his son-in-law shortly after I met Roger and he described his legal kinsman as the “most adventurous person he’s ever met.” Roger has seen his fair share of hurts, griefs, and losses, and he doesn’t hide from them. But his eyes are always looking ahead; this septuagenarian sees each day as being stuffed full of opportunity. 

It’s written in Lamentations that there’s new mercy available every morning. 

I’m not sure what you experienced in 2020, but it was a tough one for me. I repeatedly felt the sting of loss in every possible way. Old wounds were reopened, and some fresh gashes appeared on my heart. I spent several months more burnt out than the engine on that old Ford Tempo. I also made some truly great memories with the most amazing people on the planet. 

But can I tell you? I don’t want to live in last year. I want to live in this one. 2021 is filled with 365 mornings, with new friends and new adventures and new mercy awaiting me each and every day. And the same is true for you. 

So go ahead. Set down the rear-view mirror. 
Go chase that new thing that’s just waiting for you to discover it. 

Question:  What “new thing” can you go after in 2021?

Jeremy Bell is pastor of Grace City Church in Sorrento, FL. 
Website:  Wearegrace.city