Eyes on the Road

Colleen Howard

 I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. — Philippians 3:13-14 NLT

What will today look like? Will it disappoint? Will our dreams come true? Of course, none of us knows the answer, but I know someone who does. God has gifted us with another new day, and like a roadmap, it’s filled with possibilities. Are you ready to let the adventure begin, or does it seem intimidating?

Since I’ve already started down the road trip trail, let’s look at the rearview mirror vs the windshield. One is for looking at what’s behind, and the other is to see what lies before. If you want to arrive safely at your destination, you glance out the rearview mirror, but your number one focus is on the road ahead. It’s a little like life. If we spend too much time looking back, we might miss our exit.

In Garth Stein’s book, The Art of Racing in the Rain, the main character is a racecar driver who states, “In racing, they say that your car goes where your eyes go. The driver who cannot tear his eyes away from the wall as he spins out of control will meet that wall; the driver who looks down the track as he feels his tires break free will regain control of his car.”  

When I learned to drive, I was told to keep my eyes on the road. If something falls from the passenger seat onto the car’s floor and you look down to retrieve it, your vehicle will most likely veer off track. This happens because your car goes where your eyes are focused. It’s like what racecar drivers call racing in the rain.

Car driving in the rain

But aren’t we all racing in the rain? Don’t we often spend too much time dwelling on the past and not enough looking forward to the future? In driving, the rearview mirror serves a specific purpose, and looking back briefly is not bad. However, too much time focused on the rearview will alter your course. It’s the view out of the windshield that drives us forward.

God is continually beckoning us to follow, and He is worthy of our loyalty. He holds our future, and His view is eternal. Occasionally, bumps in the road will slow us down, but whatever the speed, life keeps moving forward. We cannot stop or pause time, but can place our trust in Jesus Christ. God has strategically placed you right where you are supposed to be. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus. He is our rock and refuge and will reposition us if we swerve off the road.

A passenger in a car waving their hands out of the window

The next time you fling that car door open and sit behind the wheel, pray boldly to the God who holds the map. Every day belongs to Him. As you wait expectantly for the treasures He will reveal down the road, keep moving forward, eyes on the road, and know whatever comes your way is most assuredly in His hands.

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Prayer: Dear Jesus, remind us daily to look forward to what lies ahead and focus on the path you have laid before us. Help us not to spend too much time in the past, but to persevere until we reach the end of the race. May your Spirit guide us toward a deeper relationship with you. Thanks be to God. — Amen

Your Turn

●      When you reflect on the past, do you see where you needed more focus? How did God reposition you back on the road?

●      What did you learn from this experience, and how will that affect your future decisions?