Last Friday I talked about remembering. Remembering can be entertaining, fun, and even a little bittersweet. Still, remembering is so important. Sometimes I think people get so caught up in the ‘next’ step in life (college, marriage, children, etc.) that they forget to enjoy where they are, where they’ve been, and God’s purpose in it all. In my post last week I talked about how God provides for His purpose (click here to read).
In the last few days it seems everything is about looking forward in life. Two friends of mine have shared that they are pregnant. My cousin is close to finishing nursing school. My brother will soon be eighteen. Not to mention the holidays are approaching! (What? You haven’t bought in yet? I hadn’t either! Listen to this though in the last few days: our office at work divvied up every one’s time off for our holiday schedule, the city has been putting up Christmas lights, and the local grocery store has a Christmas tree up along with lots of red and green merchandise everywhere.)
While some of us have so many great memories to remember and that many more of us have so much we’re looking forward to in life, I hope you’ll remember others. Others who are stuck in the race of life who just put on a happy face and pretend everything’s ok. They don’t feel content. They are unfulfilled. Today, I pray if it’s you, you will remember that this life is fleeting. That everything past, present, and future doesn’t matter as much as one thing: Jesus Christ.
Listen to Paul’s words: “…one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14
Everything we remember or look forward to doesn’t matter as much as what we have done, continue to do, and will do as we live life for Christ. When life seems overwhelming, when it seems like you can’t find your way, and even when things are great and everything seems to be going your way know that we should be living for one purpose –God’s.
I know you can do it, and I know it isn’t always easy. God does too. Look to Him, and He will provide all you need. All you have to do is have faith in Him. Still, not sure about your life path? Where you’ve been…Where you are… Where you’re going…Pray that God will help you live for Him and that at the end of each and every day you can say:
“7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
How amazing this verse is! I love that it applies to every situation, the days on the mountaintop and the days in the valley. There will always be stages in life. I love that God has taught (and is still teaching) me to enjoy where I am. I used to worry when I was on the mountaintop what the next low would be, and when I was in the valley I would be concerned with reaching that next mountaintop. There is a lesson in both places. And in both places we can be amazingly close to God. If we'll give ourselves away to Him.
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