by Dr. Randy Tompkins
I have never liked being last in line for two reasons. First, I have always equated being last in line to losing. As a boy in school, coaches told me those who do not come in first have lost the race. Second, as a young and median adult, I have always been in a hurry to get to someplace. Being last in line held me up and was a waste of time.
Now I am becoming more comfortable when I am last in line. Being last in line at the store allows me to look over my shoulder and observe people and events. Interesting things happen behind you. I am the last of my father’s branch of the Tompkins tree. I am an only child and have no sons to carry on the name. This has bothered me for several years until I began noticing our three daughters and what great adult women they have become. My father’s lineage will be just fine for many years to come.
Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:62. People have interpreted this verse to mean you should never look back, always look forward. One commentator stated that looking back was a yearning to not be attached to the plow but to be on the porch relaxing.
To put this in reference for today, don’t look back to the past and wish things were changed. It is all right to look back and evaluate your ability to follow God’s path for this year. The thought for this year is: place your hands on the plow of today, looking back at yesterday to evaluate things and then move forward. God has your back. He will take care of any fragments from previous years.
