Forward… I laughed when I saw the word prompt for this week. Forward seems to be the word of this week or really of this season, the sacred echo. Earlier in the week I was talking to a friend about the word forward, and what does that look like right now as far as church and the kingdom.
My friend poured out, “Anyone wanting to go back to normal is not listening to what God is speaking right now.” Wow that is a strong statement, but I am in agreement. From various sources I have heard this message of move forward with great expectation, “Behold, I (God) am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19)
We want to be part of it, but it includes the process of transforming, and choosing to cultivate life. Those things can be challenging and sometimes down right tedious. It is so easy to glamorize what was, especially since that was our comfort zone. That is what we know. We know the rules, we know what to expect, and we know our role, but to go forward into this unknown and new, we must trust God’s hand and willingness to teach us.
The Bible is full of those longing to go back and not fairing so well, the Israelites in the desert, Lot’s wife, and more, but God calls us forward. He casts visions and invites us into what he is unveiling. I think of the angel meeting Gideon in the wine press hiding and threshing wheat, but God saw Him move forward into his destiny of mighty warrior, Mary the mother of Jesus accepting her role to move forward into the unknown with the care Jesus, the disciples were fishers of fish, but going forward they would be fishers of men.
May we eagerly and expectantly take God’s hand and walk forward, and trust all the unknowns to Him because He is always doing more than we know to ask or can imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)
Inkblot Life 
Great encouragement in your post. We can trust God to guide us!
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Yes, friend, we are kindred hearts! It is hard to move forward. I have been thinking about how we are much like the Israelites wandering in the desert, and wrote about it a few weeks ago (https://amiewills.blogspot.com/2020/04/grain-oil-and-wine.html). Sorry, that felt like a plug, but I just wanted to share my thoughts and they are too much to write again here.
I am concerned for all the believers who want to go back to the way it was. That way wasn’t working so well for lots of people. When believers get comfortable, they loose site of what God wants. Sure God wants us to be healthy. Sure God wants us to be gather. But could it be that He wants something else too. Maybe he wants us to grow strong through testing. Maybe He wants us to learn that less is enough. Maybe he wants us to appreciate gathering on Sunday mornings instead of feeling obligated.
Needless to say, your post got me thinking. Good job!
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Amen… thank you for sharing your post. Thank you also for the encouragement. It is such a blessing and so exciting to find others looking expectantly and wanting less of the old complacent normal and more of the awakened fresh vision. Blessings.
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My days are getting nasty,
the water’s getting high,
and I hope He prays for me,
that Spirit in the Sky.
He says there’s a new thing to do,
big and bright and bold,
but pardon me, I was not through
with the well-loved old,
and I’d just like the days again,
back when I could talk,
and when there wasn’t this much pain
that slows and halts my walk.
I’ll bend my strength to His new task,
but a last look back is all I ask.
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As always, I am thankful for your thoughtful share. You have a gift. So thankful that your sickness has not robbed you of this. Praying for you that your suffering may be transformed to glory as you keep moving forward. Blessings.
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The last paragraph is just wonderful! I want to take His hand and move forward, trusting Him with the unknowns because they are all known by Him! Thank you for this encouragement tonight!
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My friend keeps reminding me God goes before us, he is behind us and beside us… We have nothing to fear. ❤ blessings
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