Moving Ahead While Reflecting Back
Psalm 40:5 - Many, O Lord my God, are
Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts towards us cannot be
recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more
than can be numbered. (NKJV)
As a very new Christian, it seems the more I move ahead in my journey, the more
times that I find myself reflecting back. It is not that I am reflecting back
upon my sinful ways, but rather on the times that the Lord has been showing me
how He was in my life before I accepted Him.
There came a time in my life when I could no longer hold it all together in the
world. I had not accepted Jesus at this time into my life. I made the decision
to leave my job, not knowing what else to do when everything around me seemed to
be falling apart. I left work on a Friday, and on the Saturday morning I drove
to the lake very early. I was standing on the edge of the boardwalk looking
across the lake; the sun had not yet come up. I was lost in my thoughts of the
world -- and thoughts of what next. I had some very real thoughts of just giving
up and stepping into the lake. Then something across the horizon caught my eye.
It was the sun coming up from behind the trees and glistening through the
clouds. I am not sure how long I stood there, but it was a considerable length
of time.
The sun was quite high in the sky, when I felt the presence of something, or
someone, behind me. I turned around, and there stood my husband and sons. They
had come to look for me.
It was another three years before I accepted Jesus, but looking back, I know He
was there with me that day. I have received a lot of healing and restoration in
my life. Gone now are the thoughts of death and destruction. They have been
replaced with the love and grace of Jesus, and the people He has brought into my
life.
It gives me great comfort now, when the seas get rough, to hang onto the hands
of Jesus -- and to rest in knowing that He knew me before I knew Him.
Jeremiah 1:5 - Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born
I set you apart. (NIV)
Let us take time to pause and to ask the Lord to show us in a very real and
personal way times when amid rough seas He was there for us.
Prayer: Dear Father, we are so very thankful that You first knew us. Help us to
walk in daily obedience to Your word. Show us times of reflection when we can
rest knowing that You are in control. Lead us to a deeper relationship trusting
You. Thank You, Father, for hearing and responding to our prayers. In Jesus'
name, we pray. Amen.
Julie Bowles julieanni@sympatico.ca
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca