“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18&19a (NIV)
Leave the past behind and move forward. That has been my directive. For months now. Easier said than done. Most often by people, although well-intentioned, who can’t comprehend. Rebuilding a life after it has crashed, disintegrated, been shattered into an array of broken, chipped pieces is no small task.
Potholes adorn the road ahead. Wait. Rest. Slow. Words that have always been a part of my vocabulary that now take on new meaning. I must secure my Ephesians 6 armor as bitterness creeps in. A hardened heart would render me ineffective. Trying to rebuild on God’s terms with Satan’s lies screaming forth. No one can relate. Or perhaps they can.
The year is around 1375 B.C. The book of Judges brings us up to date with God’s people. Joshua had gone to be with the Lord. Through Joshua’s leadership, God fulfilled His promise and delivered the land of Israel to His people. The Israelites were left with the task of cleaning up the land of those elements that would eventually snare the people and draw their hearts away from their God. Obedience was in order and God had made a covenant for their victory. The list of did nots, nor did, and neithers directs us to the disobedience that followed.
The land was left with people groups that would ultimately lead the Israelites to worship other gods and away from the teachings of their forefathers. The Lord’s anger raged. He withdrew His protection, and the Israelites were plundered, given to their enemies and defeated. Funny, that’s how I feel sometimes.
From what in my past must I turn away? What is a snare to my devotion to Christ? I’ve learned the answer is not so simple. Yes, perhaps some friendships and gathering places must go. But what about my thoughts? Uncontrolled, they so easily revert to memories of what was. What could have been. What was lost. My thoughts pull me back to a place that encourages discontentment today. But God wants to do a new thing. Give me a new mind. One that will spring forth fruit, freedom and glorify the Lord God. The old must go so the new will come.
“Holy Spirit, bring to mind that which will ensnare my walk with the Father. Give me the strength and courage to leave this in the past and step forward into the future prepared for me.”
For His Glory
Kathryn Hayman
TRBC Women’s Life
trbccoffeebreak 
Leave a Reply