devotional for Sunday 3/18/12
"The car you drive has a large windshield, but only a relatively small rearview mirror. The implication is obvious: What happened in your past is not nearly as important as what is in your future. Where you are going is much more important than where you've been. "
~ Joel Osteen, Become a Better You
While I don't agree with Joel Osteen's emphasis on the Bible promising earthly prosperity, the above quote reminds us that even though the past helps shape us, we can step beyond it. It does not determine our future. And too much focus on the past keeps us from planning for what is to come. There are so many possibilities out there awaiting us. Every moment of every day we can choose to remain on a new path. It is so important to keep our focus on God and allow him to lead us on the right road. The biggest destination in our lives is our blessed reunion with God and all believers in heaven. But we can't constantly live in either the past OR the future. We must acknowledge the past and prepare for the future by acting and living in the present, with God steering the way. So my addition to the above quote would be this:
"You can learn from past accidents on the roadway. So look ahead and all around with eyes wide open to be prepared, but live in the present with both hands on the steering wheel and with the use of your GPS (God's Plan of Salvation). As you travel this highway of life, let the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) be your map."
God is our guide for our life. He has not only provided the highway (our life on earth), but also the optional routes to take (choices), the auto to carry us (Jesus), the steering wheel to steer us (His Holy Spirit), the curbs to keep us on track (the 10 Commandments), and even the gas in our auto (faith). He gives us all of this freely out of his great love for us so that we may dwell with him in heaven.
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. Exodus 15:13 NIV
Dear Lord, please be with me every mile as I make my way through life's roadblocks and detours, making sure I make it to your destination as planned. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Written by Jan Andersen
Good morning Jan. This is such an important point you have made here. If we spend too much time reliving our past and the mistakes we have made it is hard to move forward. I don't mean that we should bury our head in the sand, as there is a lot to be learned along the way...even from mistakes. We need to learn the message from our activities and then move on. I have a friend who had a dream about this very thing. She had been stranded in the dessert and after dropping all she was carrying she made it to safety in a small town. When she wanted to go back and get what she had left behind the message in her dream was that she was not to go back. Well written!
ReplyDeleteThanks Corinne - life is always a balancing act isn't it!
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