Backwards

When Going the Wrong Direction is the Right Way

When in life have you felt like you were going in the wrong direction? When have you felt like you were moving one way and everyone around you was moving another? It could be literal or figurative. 

Moving in reverse can be a challenge. Driving in reverse, especially over a longer distance can be down right scary. Several years ago my car stopped working the way that it should while on the road in front of my house. It wouldn’t go into forward drive. Strangely however, it would go in reverse. It needed to be fixed, but I didn’t want to pay the $150 towing bill to get it to the shop only a half mile away. 

 After pondering the possibilities I came up with a plan. I waited until around midnight when I knew far less drivers would be on the road. I also knew my wife would be asleep and could not object. I then went out to my car and started it up. It was facing forward in my driveway and that had to change. I had to turn it around staying in reverse the entire time. One slip up and I could have major problems. I drove the car backwards through the gap between my garage and back yard. I then did a big loop in the yard reorienting the car so that the back was now facing in the forward direction as I came back out into my driveway. 

I kept going.

I drove down the street in reverse, took a right at the stop sign, well actually it was a left in this new dynamic, and continued a quarter mile until I got to the main road. I sat at the light waiting in reverse. I needed to make a right (actually left) and was waiting for a sign of no cars to be coming in any direction. Finally, I saw my chance and took it. I turned on the main road and drove backward toward the auto shop, about a quarter of a mile down. As I was driving, a car appeared over the hill and  was coming quickly toward  me from the North. 

I drove faster and just as the other car was about to overtake me, I backed into the repair shop parking lot. The other car drove by with his window rolled down and said something to me. Fortunately, my window was up and I couldn’t hear what he had to say. Im sure it was very encouraging.

I backed into a spot and left the key under the seat for the mechanic. The next day the car was fixed and once again I could shift into drive and move forward.

In life, everyone seems to move in one direction. It’s usually toward success, towards more, towards fulfillment, towards pleasure and fun. When someone is moving opposite these things, it seems off, maybe even… strange. It’s like they are driving in reverse.

In Matthew 20: 26-28, Jesus challenges his disciples as he neared the end of his time with them by saying, “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Jesus moves backward in a world that expected Him to move forward ahead of everyone else. People expected Jesus to look, appear and act like a King, with all the privileges that come with it. Jesus did the exact opposite. He challenges us to do the same. Wether it’s through serving, giving, apologizing, forgiving or living in humility, His way is counter cultural and doesn’t always fit in with the World’s plans.

When we live backwards, we reverse many things that cause pain, suffering and brokenness in this world. The journey is not easy. It is filled with challenges, fear and uncertainty. Yet we must remember that that we are never alone and we have a companion in Christ to help us navigate the way.

Question - What are one or two things you can do to today to live a backwards life similar to Jesus? 

Prayer 

Dear God, help us to live the life you have called us to live. Help us to put ourselves aside and focus on your ways. Forgive us for the times when we put ourselves first and think only about getting ahead. Help us to live backwards by (A,B,C mentioned above). We love you and thank you for your example.

Amen