Leave the Past…Cleave to Purpose Not looking back is essential for both spiritual growth and fulfilling God’s purpose—individually and as the Body of Christ. Lot’s wife serves as a sobering example: though physically rescued, her heart remained tied to what God was trying to deliver her from, and her backward glance cost her everything. When we look back with longing, regret, or fear, we hinder forward motion, stall our spiritual development, and risk forfeiting the “new thing” God is trying to do in and through us. Whether it’s nostalgia for a past season, complacency with where we are, or insecurity about what’s ahead, looking back shifts our focus from faith to fear, from calling to comfort. God never calls us to retreat—He calls us to press forward, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. When each of us chooses to move forward in purpose and obedience, the whole Body is strengthened, unified, and equipped to grow in maturity and impact. Letting go of the past isn’t just personal—it’s a spiritual responsibility that affects everyone connected to us. Notes 1. The Example: Lot’s Wife Genesis 19:15–17, 24–26 (ESV) “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.” … But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Key Insight: Lot’s wife was warned not to look back. Her backward glance was more than curiosity—it revealed a heart still tied to the past. Her physical location had changed, but her heart was still in Sodom. She looked back longing for what she left. She looked back reluctant to let go of what God was rescuing her from. She looked back and lost her future. Note-Pillar of salt….salt was used for preservation. She was preserved in her disobedience. Jesus used her as an example of not looking back and holding on to things in Luke 17. 2. Looking Back: What It Does Individually Luke 9:62 (ESV) “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Why? Looking back causes double-mindedness. It creates paralysis, preventing progress. It can lead to bitterness, regret, and emotional bondage. Corporately (as the Body of Christ) Philippians 3:13–14 (ESV) “…forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead…” If the church looks back in fear or offense, we stall, we don’t move forward. We miss new moves of God by idolizing past revivals or ways of doing things. Corporately, we begin to normalize complacency or nostalgia over faith. What it means to normalize complacency or nostalgia over faith, and why it’s spiritually dangerous: Normalizing Complacency or Nostalgia Over Faith What is Complacency? Complacency is a spiritual numbness—a place where you’re no longer growing, stretching, or pressing in. You become satisfied with the status quo, even if it’s far from what God has called you to. Revelation 3:15–17 “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!” Complacency says: “This is good enough.” “I’ve done enough.” “I know enough, I don’t need to pursue more.” It makes spiritual mediocrity seem normal. And the danger? It quenches faith, and we stop expecting or seeking anything fresh from God. What is Nostalgia Over Faith? Nostalgia is when we idolize the past so much that we resist moving into the new. It’s not wrong to remember, but when memory becomes our anchor, we stop growing. Ecclesiastes 7:10 “Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.” Nostalgia says: “I just want things the way they were.” “Remember how good it used to be?” “Let’s do it like we always did.” The problem is: God is always moving forward, and nostalgia can blind us to what He’s doing now. Why nostalgia and complacency is Dangerous Spiritually It kills vision — we stop expecting God to do more. It paralyzes growth — we become reactive, not proactive. It builds comfort zones — and comfort zones are often enemy territory for your calling. Faith says “What’s next, Lord?” “Stretch me, God.” “I trust You into the unknown.” Complacency/Nostalgia says “What’s safe?” “Don’t change anything.” “I want what I know already.” When we normalize complacency or nostalgia, we settle for what was and miss out on what could be. Faith always calls us to trust that God’s next is always better than our last. 3. Looking Forward: Walking in Purpose A.Individually Isaiah 43:18–19 (ESV) “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing…” When we look forward, we align our hearts with God’s new thing. We stay focused on our assignment, not our attachments. We gain clarity, direction, and renewed purpose. B.Corporately Ephesians 4:11-16 [11] And he has appointed some with grace to be apostles, and some with grace to be prophets, and some with grace to be evangelists, and some with grace to be pastors, and some with grace to be teachers. [12] And their calling is to nurture and prepare all the holy believers to do their own works of ministry, and as they do this they will enlarge and build up the body of Christ. [13] These grace ministries will function until we all attain oneness in the faith, until we all experience the fullness of what it means to know the Son of God, and finally we become one perfect man with the full dimensions of spiritual maturity and fully developed in the abundance of Christ. [14] And then our immaturity will end! And we will not be easily shaken by trouble, nor led astray by novel teachings or by the false doctrines of deceivers who teach clever lies. [15] But instead we will remain strong and always sincere in our love as we express the truth. All our direction and ministries will flow from Christ and lead us deeper into him, the anointed Head of his body, the church. [16] For his “body” has been formed in his image and is closely joined together and constantly connected as one. And every member has been given divine gifts to contribute to the growth of all; and as these gifts operate effectively throughout the whole body, we are built up and made perfect in love. Ephesians 4:15–16 (ESV) “…when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” When the body of Christ looks forward together, we grow in unity and maturity. Vision becomes shared. Hope multiplies. The church functions in strength and effectiveness. 4. The Responsibility of the Body: Joined and Active Romans 12:4–5 (ESV) “For as in one body we have many members…so we, though many, are one body in Christ…” 1 Corinthians 12:21–26 (ESV) ‘’If one member suffers, all suffer together…” Physically joined means CONNECTED…being present in prayer, service, giving and unity. When one lags, the whole body feels the weight. Just like in a race, if one teammate slows down, it affects the entire relay. 5. Final Encouragement: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV) ‘’…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus…” We don’t run this race by glancing backward. Our focus is Jesus, our finish line, our reward. Let’s walk together—eyes fixed forward, hearts surrendered, hands ready to serve. Action: Repent for any area where you’ve looked back with longing or regret. Refocus on the call God has placed on your life. Re-engage with the body—serve, give, pray, and participate fully. Run forward—together, in sync, and in step with God’s Spirit.