Pastor’s Page

Among the many gods worshipped in the ancient Roman world was Janus. Janus was the god of transitions and looked to as the protector of gates and doorways, including the rising and setting of the sun. He is often depicted with two bearded heads that face in opposite directions, looking to both the future and the past. His name comes from the Latin janua, meaning “door, doorway, entrance.” This Latin word is also the root of our English word “Janitor.” A janitor’s work is that of transitions; transforming spaces from dirty to clean. (Side note: the study of word origins, etymology, is always so fascinating and insightful!).

As we watch news programs at the end of the year, particularly the last week of the year, we see many “year in review” program segments. It captivates people to remember what happened in the past year when on the precipice of a new year. There is an understanding that one is moving forward beyond the past year and the review of it seems to be a way of saying “goodbye” to it in a sense. Perhaps this dynamic lends itself to the image above. But let’s talk about a real God with a capital “G” and not the small case “g” gods of Greek mythology, such as Janus.

As the Apostle Paul shared about new life in Jesus Christ with the Philippian church, Paul was describing a life of following Christ and imitating him. He encourages them with these words: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13b-14) Paul did not like looking back. His past reminded him of living for himself instead of giving his life to live for God.

I have always preferred the windshield/rear-view mirror illustration, keeping in mind how much larger an automobile’s windshield is compared to the rear-view mirror. It is good to see all that is before us that we may consider how we can serve God and be like Jesus as we move forward. It is good to look in the rear mirror just enough to allow lessons of the past to inform our moving forward.  We do not look at the mirror yearning to return to the places we have passed.

May the true God be the one who blesses and protects our gates and doorways as we allow our moving forward to take us into places where we become more like Jesus each day. May we be true “windshield Christians” as we drive boldly into 2025. And may we see Jesus up ahead and desire nothing more than to follow him very closely. May God bless our moving into a new year my friends! Blessings!

That’s From the Heart,

Pastor David Ewing