Read Isaiah 43:16-21
Paul wrote, “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
- Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
As I pulled up my once-beautiful periwinkles, now lifeless after a recent freeze, it dawned on me that I wasn’t just getting rid of the old plants; I was making room for new ones.
The same is true of life’s experiences. We have to let go of the past to make room for the future. But letting go of treasured moments or painful experiences is not as easy as discarding wilted, lifeless periwinkles.
The apostle Peter wanted to remain in a powerful moment while high atop the Mount of Transfiguration. (See Matt. 17:1-4.) Peter was like many of us; he didn’t want to let go of an awesome experience. Such moments — life’s great blessings — are not meant to be permanent homes but rather rest stops along life’s journey.
Painful moments are even more likely to bar us from future joys. But how do we move on? We do it by focusing on God, whose grace and blessings are new every day. And we can find and enjoy them fully when we let go of the past and trust the God of our present and our future.
Thought for the Day:
Letting go of the past enables me to embrace God’s possibilities.
Prayer: Dear God, give us the courage to let go of the past and the faith we need to look forward to the future with you. Amen.
Prayer Focus: SOMEONE SEEKING A NEW START
The scripture quotation, unless otherwise indicated, is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Paul wrote, “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
- Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
The same is true of life’s experiences. We have to let go of the past to make room for the future. But letting go of treasured moments or painful experiences is not as easy as discarding wilted, lifeless periwinkles.
The apostle Peter wanted to remain in a powerful moment while high atop the Mount of Transfiguration. (See Matt. 17:1-4.) Peter was like many of us; he didn’t want to let go of an awesome experience. Such moments — life’s great blessings — are not meant to be permanent homes but rather rest stops along life’s journey.
Painful moments are even more likely to bar us from future joys. But how do we move on? We do it by focusing on God, whose grace and blessings are new every day. And we can find and enjoy them fully when we let go of the past and trust the God of our present and our future.
Thought for the Day:
Letting go of the past enables me to embrace God’s possibilities.
Prayer: Dear God, give us the courage to let go of the past and the faith we need to look forward to the future with you. Amen.
Prayer Focus: SOMEONE SEEKING A NEW START
The scripture quotation, unless otherwise indicated, is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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