How do we really live the life we have been called to? Years can go by and potential lost, lives unfulfilled and hope dissipated. Fear of the past, mistakes and unproductive time rear their head with deceit and lies then fear of the unknown creeps in.
I am reminded of the Israelites coming out of captivity from the treacherous hand of Pharaoh in Egypt. As they departed they found themselves at the verge of the red sea, it was like coming to the edge of a horrendous cliff, without absolutely no where to go and no hope of an escape. Behind them the Egyptian armies hotly pursued, their mission and focus was to retrieve their slaves! Yet confronting the Israelites was the mighty raging red sea in all its glory.
Despair like never before presented itself, sandwiched between struggles of the past charging behind and fear of the unknown was immediately before them. The crashing waters offered nothing but despair, however to turn back and concede defeat was surely something they thought they would not have to do. What were they to do???
I am reminded of the Israelites coming out of captivity from the treacherous hand of Pharaoh in Egypt. As they departed they found themselves at the verge of the red sea, it was like coming to the edge of a horrendous cliff, without absolutely no where to go and no hope of an escape. Behind them the Egyptian armies hotly pursued, their mission and focus was to retrieve their slaves! Yet confronting the Israelites was the mighty raging red sea in all its glory.
Despair like never before presented itself, sandwiched between struggles of the past charging behind and fear of the unknown was immediately before them. The crashing waters offered nothing but despair, however to turn back and concede defeat was surely something they thought they would not have to do. What were they to do???
Suddenly hope was birthed as God did the miraculous, as God reminded his people that his ways were not there ways as he lifted the mighty magnificent Seas and created a pathway! Dry land was before them, in the great deep was hope and a way of escape!
Even though a way of escape had been made, it was still not that easy to cross! They had to rely upon and depend on GOD like never before. Excitement of leaving the past behind, but also anticipation of the land before them what if the water didn't hold up, what if it fell on them, what if they got half way and it started to move, but if they didn't take that step of Faith their past would have kept them in bondage. But to move forward, was confronting fear of the unknown and all that was before them! However there was no going back, no hope in the past but hope in the future and the true deliverance that comes from trusting the one who holds it all. The one who leads and guides and always makes a way!
William McDowell's chorus reminds us; “I won't go back, I can't go back, to the way it used to be,
before your presence came and changed me!” Even when the future looks uncertain, when it seems daunting, going back is never a option! God did the impossible for the Israelites, when all seemed to be lost, he raised and parted the amazing sea, today may we look forward and remain hopeful as he parts every sea in our life, as he makes a way in the great deep, so we can step forward into his destiny and all he has in store for us!
Great job, Lindsay!
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