Reflections… a careful and serious consideration. I believe it is a good thing to reflect over your life! It is important to see that there is growth and forward movement. Usually at the end of each year, people will begin to reflect over their lives. Some become very disheartened and discouraged. Some feel that they want more time in this year to finish some things before beginning a new year. Some are so excited about a New Year as if something changes because we are going into another year. Consider where you are and think to yourself, have I truly grown this year? Have I accomplished some of my goals that I set at the beginning of this year of 2011? Where am I going? Will I try to finish what I began in this year as I enter into the New Year of 2012?
Philippians 3:13 tells us, “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,” It is important that we do not live in the past because then we can stay stuck there. We will compare everything to our past and miss all the things ahead! When you review your past, be honest and see how far you have come, consider God’s absolute grace in your life and be mindful that God does not want you to stay there! It is His will that we continue to grow from glory to glory! We see this in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”
So, although you cannot take back things done in the past, remember you can always work on how you are in the future! “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17. What an amazing thought, He is the God of a second, third, fourth, etc (you get the point) chance! But, remember you have to surrender so you can experience ALL that He has for you!
Yes, there will be things that will remind you of your past, just know that God wants to use your past to propel you into your future. Reflect and know that although you might have missed the mark at times, there will be another opportunity to try again until you take your last breath! Praise God for that! Run this race set before you in His strength and know that you do not have to keep up with anyone here on earth! Just know that He has great plans for you and remain in step with His Spirit! “A person's steps are directed by the LORD, and the LORD delights in his way.” Psalm 37:23
Natalie Young
Daughter of the most High God
How true. I found myself getting weary after looking back at all the things that have happened in the last 8 years. Without the Holy Spirit I would not have made it, yet I still got dishearted because the when I actually looked at the situations and years I come to a place of wondering 'when' Lord? ~~~~BUT the God of all grace, who hats called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, that after you have suffered a while will make you perfect, stablish, stregthen, settle you. (1 Peter 5:10)
ReplyDelete~Grow in Grace,
Tim