Have you ever felt like you're stuck in the same place, even though you want to move forward? Sometimes, the thing holding us back isn't what's in front of us — it's what we're still clutching behind our backs.

In the Bible, there is a very short but powerful warning in Luke 17:32: "Remember Lot's wife." It's a small sentence with a massive lesson. When Lot and his family were escaping the city of Sodom, they were told not to look back. But Lot's wife did. She looked back because she still loved her old life and the "stuff" she was leaving behind. Because she couldn't let go, she was lost.

The Danger of "Looking Back"

Just like Lot's wife, it's easy for us to "look back" at our old habits, temptations, or the "worldly pleasures" we had before we decided to follow Christ. We might be moving toward a better life, but if our hearts are still stuck on our old ways, we aren't truly free.

Another important verse is 2 Corinthians 13:5, which tells us to examine ourselves to see if we are really living out our faith:

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves." — 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

It's a moment to be honest with ourselves:

Examine Yourself

Counting the Cost

Following a better path often means letting go of things we once held close. This is what people mean by "counting the cost." It isn't always easy — as Jesus said:

"The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." — Matthew 26:41 (KJV)

We get distracted by things like social media, video games, or habits that take up all our time and energy. The truth is, the things of this world don't last forever. If we spend all our time looking back at them, we miss the "good works" and the purpose that is waiting for us in the future.

Taking the First Step

Change doesn't happen by accident. It happens when we decide to stop looking back and start moving. Here are two simple ways to stay on track:

  1. Find Accountability

    We all get distracted. Find a friend who can help you put down the phone or the controller and pick up your Bible instead.

  2. Take Action

    If you want to help people but don't feel "strong enough," start small. Whether it's going for a run to get fit or volunteering in your community, the best time to start is right now.

The Bottom Line

The goal is to live a life where we are looking forward to what's next, not mourning what we left behind. Let's keep moving — and let's do it without looking back.