Look Not Behind Thee (Genesis 19:17)

In the Rearview

"Oh, yes. The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it." -Rafiki (The Lion King)

Everyone has a past. We hear it over and over again. "Nobody's perfect." Then why do we have such a hard time forgiving ourselves, and moving on with our lives? We expect ourselves to be free of any stains, while in reality, we were born with stains. The Lord expects us to mess up. In fact, he wants us to, so that we can learn from our mistakes. He sent us to an imperfect world so that we can become better than it. So we can rise above the rest of the world by pressing forward.

"And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

  Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

2 Nephi 31:19-20

We need to "keep moving forward" (Meet the Robinson's) and forgive ourselves for what we've done in our past. We need to remember the story of Lot. When she was commanded not to look back, she turned around to her old home and was turned to a pillar of salt. We probably won't be turned to salt if we revert back to old habits or sins, but we will no longer be progressing.

So "look not behind thee" and forgive and forget what you may have done in the past.