Don't Cling

"Do not call to mind the former things,
Or ponder things of the past.

Behold, I will do something new..." --Isaiah 43:18-19

 

 

I know God's words in this passage are speaking mainly on an epic, grand scale about the future of God's chosen people and the advent of the new covenant of the blood of Christ but I don't think it's twisting the words to bring it down to the "mundane", day to day existence of God's children. Something I [and, I think, others] struggle with is looking back toward how things used to be and wishing we could go back to simpler, easier, seemingly more fun times in our lives. God is telling us not to try and hold on to the past. Don't cling to something in your past and expend all your energy trying to keep your life in that place. It's not worth it. Hold your life with an open hand and keep your eyes open to see what God wants to do with you *now*. I really think this is one of the keys to real, lasting joy in life. Don't let your life become about trying to move things back to how they used to be or simply maintaining the status quo. And for that matter, don't try to manufacture your own ideal circumstances for the future. If you have met Jesus you'll know that what he intends for you is ultimately better than what you intend for yourself anyway. By all means, plan your future and have intentions but don't let it crush you if and when your plans fall apart. This verse says that God is the one who is going to do something new. All your plans are, at best, part of God's plan and the last thing your plans falling apart is is an interruption.