Reflection and Remembrance
There are accounts, stories, and verses in the Bible that tell us not to look back or turn back; mostly because we are supposed to fight the good fight, be steadfast, "forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead." We are to have a goal in mind, not be stuck in the past, and follow in obedience. However, I believe there is a healthy kind of remembrance and reflection. Like the question I was asked the other day: If your life was a book, what would this last chapter of life be called? Like the words currently on my bathroom mirror: Every blessing you pour out, I'll turn back to praise.
I want my life to be a life of reflection, of remembrance. I want to often reflect on the goodness of the Lord, the faithfulness of my Creator, the beauty of Jesus in my life. "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living." I have seen the Lord's goodness. I know who He is and what He has done, and I know I will continue to see His goodness in the future. He is writing my story, and I can trust His authorship. A month or so ago, I listened to a speaker talk about the life of Job. How often we look at the first couple chapters of his life and think, wow, he had a miserable life! But there are 42 chapters in the book of Job! Did you know that the second part of Job's life was more blessed than the first? I want now, and each new year, to be a turning point. To have the rest of my life have more blessing than what has come before. And whatever you're going through, don't worry, you're only in the second chapter. Never give up on the God who has never given up on you.
This past year would have to be coined as Change. This past year has held more change than any other year past. But along with all of it's challenges, I wouldn't change a thing. I know my Creator is refining my life, teaching me much about myself, about Him, asking me to trust a little more, find all I need in Him alone, to remember His goodness.
I will put my hand to the plow and not look back. I will press on. Fight the good fight. But I will turn to praise. I will think of the Lord's goodness. Because He is good, all the time. In this next year my Creator goes before me. He will part the seas, give me promise, rain down manna from heaven, continue the work He has started in me, guide my steps, calm my fears, and give my heart peace- as I reflect on all that He has already done for me.
What would you title this last year? What do you want this next year to be called? What good has God brought about in your life? Will you take time to reflect on that?
I want my life to be a life of reflection, of remembrance. I want to often reflect on the goodness of the Lord, the faithfulness of my Creator, the beauty of Jesus in my life. "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living." I have seen the Lord's goodness. I know who He is and what He has done, and I know I will continue to see His goodness in the future. He is writing my story, and I can trust His authorship. A month or so ago, I listened to a speaker talk about the life of Job. How often we look at the first couple chapters of his life and think, wow, he had a miserable life! But there are 42 chapters in the book of Job! Did you know that the second part of Job's life was more blessed than the first? I want now, and each new year, to be a turning point. To have the rest of my life have more blessing than what has come before. And whatever you're going through, don't worry, you're only in the second chapter. Never give up on the God who has never given up on you.
This past year would have to be coined as Change. This past year has held more change than any other year past. But along with all of it's challenges, I wouldn't change a thing. I know my Creator is refining my life, teaching me much about myself, about Him, asking me to trust a little more, find all I need in Him alone, to remember His goodness.
I will put my hand to the plow and not look back. I will press on. Fight the good fight. But I will turn to praise. I will think of the Lord's goodness. Because He is good, all the time. In this next year my Creator goes before me. He will part the seas, give me promise, rain down manna from heaven, continue the work He has started in me, guide my steps, calm my fears, and give my heart peace- as I reflect on all that He has already done for me.
What would you title this last year? What do you want this next year to be called? What good has God brought about in your life? Will you take time to reflect on that?
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