journey onWord with us

We all have stood at a crossroad, looking back at our past and wondering about God’s design for our future.  On the one hand, it is easy to look back and see all of the good that has happened.  On the other hand, we can all gaze into our past and find those wish we could live over moments.  Have you ever reviewed the past, present and future of your spiritual journey and concluded that yesterday was better?

When Moses arrived at the burning bush, he brought with him a rich and storied past — forty years as the prince of Egypt, and another forty years as a shepherd. You may have heard of the shepherd years, called his backside of the desert experience.  Standing there, confronted with his future and God’s plan for him, excuses dominated.  A quick read of Exodus chapter three makes it very clear that Moses was less than confident as God’s appointed deliverer for Israel. However, in the face of low self-confidence, he chose to follow God.

As I rub shoulders with Christ followers, I am struck by the fact that so many have lost their zest for the journey. They can remember spiritual milestones and answers to prayer. But there are also fresh memories of church hurts, and being bruised along the way. Churches are filled with individuals who once served and used their gifts, but are now fading into the background.  We may all need seasons of rest or even healing.  But those seasons should be just that, and should never be prolonged at the expense of missing the Father’s future design for us. Moses had eighty years of experience when God confronted him with the new phase of his journey. I am so glad, and encouraged that even through his excuses, Moses obeyed!

You may not be standing in front of a burning bush, but you are standing at a place with future opportunities. Don’t let anything in your past become a weight that holds you back from the God-designed future you can have. The emotions that say yesterday was better will cause you to look at tomorrow with a clouded view. God didn’t waste adversity in the life of Moses, nor will He for you. He wants all of your past, good and bad, to help prepare you for a Son-filled tomorrow.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Your starting place today should be fixing your eyes on Jesus. Gaze on His life, and seek to become more like Him. Seeking Him will give you perspective on your yesterdays, and confidence about your tomorrows. Just as Moses possessed a past and a God-designed future, so do you! I choose to believe that your yesterday was not better, and that your future can be filled with the blessings and peace of our Lord.

Never live looking back!