Week One       There is a Season

Day Two         Letting Go

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:18-19

     Yesterday we were reminiscing and dancing to the oldies, and learning from our seasons of life. Today we read the verses above that tell us to “forget the former things” and “do not dwell on the past.” How do we remember the lessons and forget the past?

      The beautiful truth of God (or one of His many beautiful attributes) is His patience and His new mercies every day. I believe the letting go, the forgetting, is to allow God to heal our deep wounds, to forgive and to be forgiven. What do you think? Is there anything holding you back? Forgiving someone else can be difficult, but often forgiving ourselves feels impossible. God’s forgiveness wipes the slate clean. God’s forgiveness is complete. He removes our sins as far as the East is from the West! ((Psalm 103:12)

      Luckily for all of us God is ready to start fresh every single day. When we stumble or fall completely, or get lost in the wilderness of life, He will pick us back up, wipe the tears from our eyes and show us a new path. He will find you a stream in the wasteland. That new path just might be surprising and refreshing. Letting go and taking those first hesitant steps to a new freedom takes time, but be patient. We know God’s patience with us never wears thin.

      The wounds from the past, whether self-inflicted or suffered through the hands of someone else, hurt. Is it time for healing? Do you not perceive it? He is making a way for you, a new day, a fresh start. We won’t forget the lessons learned, but we can replace the hurt with peace. It won’t be easy. It might take some time, but Jesus is there for the long haul. Put your trust in Him.

     

      Ask Him to lead you into prayer for healing; for forgiveness; for a letting go. Those simmering coals of hurt deep within always come back up and out, even destroying our physical and emotional well-being. Break those chains of bondage into freedom in Christ. He is the Redeemer of lost hope.

      Paul tells us, in Philippians 3:13-14

      Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it, but one thing I do; forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

Dear Father,

Help each one of us to witness Your healing power. Show us how to forgive ourselves and others and how to let go of the hurt. Let these short lives mean something as we fill up with Your love, leave the hurt behind, and strain forward to the goal of heaven and eternity with You.

In the name of Jesus we pray,

Amen