Don't Look Back

Halo Birdie,

In July, I participated in a corporate fast with friends before a church dedication. On the first day, as I read Genesis 19, the Lord impressed upon me this warning- Don't Look Back. 

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How often do we look back when God asks us to keep our eyes on Him? The act of looking back is one of the many devices the enemy uses to keep us stagnant and distracted. 

After graduation, the Lord placed on my heart to rest. School was intense - and He knew the journey ahead would be too much if I jumped into working right away. Rest is not my default setting; it requires trust. And often, worry rears its ugly head.

Yet, through the blood of the Lamb, God has dismantled those old, unhealthy patterns of worry, doubt, fear, and unbelief. He has paved a new path for us, but we must actively choose to follow it, resisting the temptation to dwell on the past—on the rubble the enemy uses to deceive us. Jesus warned us that in this world, we would face trouble. Bills may accumulate, the fridge may go empty, and we may encounter betrayal. But God calls us to fix our gaze on Him, not our problems. What is burning in the fire serves us no good.

In 1 King 19, after the Lord called Prophet Elijah to proclaim Elisa as his replacement,  Elisa burned the oxen and the equipment. He understood that keeping those safety nets would only tempt him to retreat when challenges arose. Are you aware of the safety nets in your life that the enemy could use to get you to retreat from serving the Lord wholeheartedly? The word tells us to be aware of satan's devices (2 Corinthians 2: 11). The enemy's mission is to ensure we don't trust in our heavenly Father. But, we know God can be trusted. In those seasons where the enemy is sending thoughts and messages that go against the nature of our Father, may we be like King Hezekiah and spread those words and feelings in the safety of our Father, and allow His love and His character to expose those lies. 

I recently read an article that read the ministry of Jesus took place at 3 miles per hour.  How kind of Him not to be in a rush but instead desire not to miss any of us who may be stumbling with heavy baggage. He kindly stops, fixes His twinkling eyes on us, extends His caring hands to help us up, and exchanges our heavy luggage with the refreshing water of life. 

My prayer for you today is that you find safety in resting in Him and that nothing makes you break your gaze from Him.  Rest is a gift I get to partake in by modeling my heavenly Father. Look up, not back. Press forward - don't retreat.

I love you, and I hope something or someone makes you smile today! In fact, fix your gaze upon Him so that you see a smiling God looking at you.

Signed,