Moving Forward
Moving Forward
I was listening to Pandora and noticed that no matter how much I liked the song I’d just heard, it was not possible to go back to it. However, it would allow me to skip and move forward to the next song…
This triggered a memory of a couple of years ago when I faced a crucial crossroad in my life due to major loss. I had moved away to the city for healing and restoration and was doing great, when God decided to take me back to the place where I had experienced all my pain. Needless to say, I struggled with fear and wrestled with God about going back to that place. On my farewell dinner with family and friends, when emotions were rising and tears were rolling down my face, someone I love dearly gave me a big hug and whispered in my ear, “You’re not moving back, you are moving forward.”
Could it be that sometimes God brings me back to where my pain took place, not to torture me and have me live in the past, but to simply face and overcome my fears? Could it be that He wants me to notice that the real story is not in what is happening to me, but rather what is happening through me? Could it be that I don’t have to like or understand the reason for my circumstances to trust, praise and celebrate Him for the results? Could it be that He wants to show me that what I went through is only proof of the promise, power, and ever-present-help of an Almighty-Heavenly-Father?!
Whatever the reason, reflecting on past painful experiences should only be done with purpose and very careful focus on moving forward... Moving forward with gratitude for what I have learned from this, how I can grow from this, and where I can serve from this.
