Have you ever given much thought about how you arrived right here, at this very place in your life? Sometimes we don’t see the little things while we are moving along in life; but when we stop and look in our rear view mirror, we can be amazed at all of the little things it took to get you right here.

Those little things are God’s hand of providence. He uses circumstances, that at first glance, may seem rather insignificant.  I wrote about this in one of my first posts, Nothing is For Nothing. It is only when you look back that you are able to see, how if any of those little things had not happened, you may not have arrived to the place you are now.

While the Bible, over and over tells us to keep pressing ahead, moving forward, and even forgetting those things which are behind; it does not mean forgetting or not remembering how God moved you from one place to another.  In fact, there are  scriptures where the saints of old are called to remember and  review how God delivered them.

And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. Deuteronomy 8:2 ESV

Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth,  I Chronicles 16:12 NASB

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God; he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even unto his hears. Psalm 18:6 KJV

Every now and then it is helpful to use our rear view mirror so that we can really appreciate all that God has done. Certainly things may not be where we expect them to be, but our lives are journeys. It is not static. When our lives become static, guess what that means? It may mean that we are either dead or not growing.

I love looking back and reviewing the small, insignificant things that became very significant in making certain things come into play. The greatest display of these insignificant events coming together can be seen in Jesus’ birth story.

In Micah 5:2, it had been prophesied about 700 years before that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2 KJV

So many things had to happen, but one of the most seemingly insignificant was that of Caesar Augustus calling for taxation, wherein each individual had to go to their hometown to register. So, Joseph had to go to his hometown, Bethlehem, and Mary being pregnant with Jesus accompanied him.

And it came to pass, in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be |registered|. 2 (And this |registration| was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria). 3 And all went to be |registered|, everyone int his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), 5 To be |registered| with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. Luke 2:1-6

Did you see that? Out of the blue, a decree goes out requiring everyone registered in his/her hometown. Mary just happened to be very, very pregnant and takes the journey with Joseph, and while they were there Jesus is born in Bethlehem just as prophesied over 700 years before.

That’s why I think it is often good to look back and look at all of the seemingly inconsequential things that brings about something significant.

It is much like a lot of the random, messy threads going in all directions on the backside of a tapestry; but when you turn it over, it is beautiful, orderly and definitely planned.

Take a look in your rear view mirror and be in awe of the hand of God in your life.