"Turning Aside..."

Hey friends! Feels like I should say, it's been a while, but that is how I started my last two blogs and I think I need new material. So let's just begin with, it's been 9 long months since my last post. I am not sure if that is good or bad but I am going with good. Maybe it means my mind has been quiet. I'll ask in advance for grace and mercy as I am sure to be rusty as I strive to get my thoughts on these pages. Emails and texts have been my products of writing as of late.

The title is strange, I know, but this phrase caught my attention as I was spending some time with Jesus the other morning. For years, I have been faithful in starting my day reading something related to Jesus but some time ago, it was impressed upon me that I needed to read His word, directly from Him, The Bible. This felt a little daunting to me as it can be difficult to get through parts of it but I've made it to Judges, praise Jesus!

Anyway, I was reading the end of Joshua and this verse jumped out at me, "Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left." -Joshua 23:6

I am sure you can guess by the title but the part that struck me was, "turning aside to the right or to the left." One meaning of aside is away from some position or direction. Listen, I can turn "aside" so quickly, I should have whiplash!

The week prior to grabbing that word from the Lord, I heard a sermon where the pastor told of two runners who were competing to break a record. The lead runner had the race won until he turned back to look at his opponent. This quick glance behind him, robbed the athlete of winning the race and holding the record breaking title. Had he remained focused on the race, he would have reached his goal.

"Remain focused on the goal" is my take away from both the sermon and the verse in Joshua but if you know me, you know this could be a tall order! Staying focused is not one of my finer traits. I am easily distracted by the next thing...the next new idea, the next new friend, the next new item, the next new adventure,

the next new ______...

As I am quickly approaching my 50th trip around the sun, I continuously find myself in reflection mode. Have I been a good mother, a good friend, a good wife, a good daughter, a good sister, etc? To all of these, I can easily find my fault and room for major improvement, which saddens me, but I am still here and there is still time! That is what I am realizing. It does me no good to glance back or look behind me. It only proves to be a distraction and hold me in the past.

This self reflection has made me realize how much time was wasted in my youth chasing "the next new" rather than focusing on and engaging with what was right in front of me. My children are one example of regret. They are now 20, 18, and nearly 16. I have regrets from their childhood but this is not where I will choose to dwell! My goal is to remain focused and engaged on the present, focused on what is right in front of me. If I continue to "turn aside", I am away from my position, away from the direction I am striving to go.

Several times in the Bible, it talks about not dwelling on the past. I think this is mostly because it is simply a waste of time and futile.

"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 desert and streams in the wasteland." -Isaiah 43:18-19

"...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." -Philippians 3:13-14

We all have a past and we all have regrets. It happened, learn from it, and move on! One of my favorite promises from God is His ability to not only forgive me of my sins but He remembers them no more.

"For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."

-Hebrews 8:12

"...but in love you delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back." -Isaiah 38:17

Did you catch that? Behind His back! We cannot see what is behind our back and God chooses not to either. Unfortunately, I cannot simply forget my past but I can choose to not "turn aside to the left or the right." I can choose to not glance back at it, relive it, dwell on it.

Friend, we are both still here, we have time to get it right! Let's focus on what is right in front of us today so we can reach the goal! Let's stop the madness of turning aside or looking back! Eyes forward, straining towards what is ahead...a beautiful life that has been lived well!

Prayers for each of you as you strive to reach your goal! I leave you with a song title that you must hear. A friend recently shared this with me and I cannot get enough! The lyrics are so encouraging. Listen, read the lyrics, and don't you give up on Him!

The song is titled,"Don't You Give Up on Me" by Brandon Lake. Enjoy!

-Until next time...