Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also- Matthew 6:21
The bible story of Lot's wife depicts, perhaps in a very exaggerated sense, what can happen when a person refuses to leave the past behind. In this account, an angel sent by God warned Lot about the destruction that God was preparing to unleash upon Sodom and Gomorrah because of the wickedness in the land (Genesis 19). Lot's family was to escape for their lives and not look back. Unfortunately, Lot's wife looked back from behind him and became a pillar of salt(verse 26). Her desire to remain literally immobilized her.
Oftentimes moving forward can be difficult. Life brings change and newness that we may not welcome. A few years ago, my family and I relocated from the east to the west coast. Although I was excited about starting a new life in a brand new place, I was terrified. All my life, I'd lived in one place surrounded by family and friends and was quite comfortable. Nevertheless, we took a step of faith and made the move. Outwardly, I said goodbye to my former life but inwardly I longed for what was and I resisted my new surroundings. I did not want to relinquish the old without knowing what the new would bring. My eyes and my heart remained fixed on what I'd left behind. I knew that I needed to shut the door to my past and turn with hope and expectancy toward my future. That knowing didn't happen overnight and some days were better than other days. But when I decided to let go and let God show me His goodness, His faithfulness and the immense blessing the move brought, not only to me but to my family as well, I couldn't help but give Him praise!
Like the angel who went before Lot's family to lead them to safety, I knew that God would go before us to prepare our path. Our part was to follow His lead and trust Him.
Remember, God never called us to do this life on our own. He is able and willing to help us. But, it's as you go that the way opens up for you and your next step is revealed.
Peace.
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Wow it's so funny you wrote about this. One of my girlfriends who attends the women's meetings I have was talking to me about how she is seeing one of her ex-boyfriends who is now a married man.
ReplyDeleteI asked her "how does it feel to walk down the street backwards?" Of course she looked at me like I had two heads but I was very serious. I said "when you walk backwards, you are unstable, unsure of every step, off balance and slower". Life isn't meant for us to go backwards.
In this book "Stuck Why We Can't (or won't) Move On" the author writes...
To live in the past is to dismiss and devalue the present...So living in the past means forming no new different ones.
And sadly we are so stuck on our past life and reliving those past memories that we don't allow God to give us new memories, new experiences, new loves and new blessings.
Ok...I talk way too much...lol!!!
Unfortunately, I was like Lot. Looking back and wondering how to move forward from my painful past. It was hard to let go of 'so called friends,'continually recounting why they hurt me and how did I let that happen.
ReplyDeleteI had to learn from my painful past that there were lessons I needed to help me grow ...and it took me a while to finally learn to let that life go and move into the life that God had prepared for me. How wonderful it is to let go and let God move.
I really didn't know what peace was until I did let go. He healed me in different ways and now I know to be still and know that He is God.
Going through a tough situation is hard but if you let God help you through, you will come out gold.
A public thank you to Irene who was the friend who helped pull me out. She is the friend you always want by your side to help you to see God's goodness. If it wasn't for her prayers...I don't know where I'd be.
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