Its Day 18 of 21 Days of Prayer! Leave it Behind.
Trying to move forward while holding on to something behind you will only defeat you before you get started. Friends, in order to move forward, there are just some things we have to let go of and leave it behind.
We read of a time in the Bible when someone decided to make a change by following Jesus. Several people came but each person was trying to hold on to something or someone. "And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:61-62 KJV)".
LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND
In each instance, Jesus reminded them that you can't drive forward while looking in the rearview mirror. Looking back to past failures or mistakes serves one purpose. That view of life keeps you distracted from your purpose. When you look at a thing the wrong way for too long you develop a painful "crook" in your neck. That crook hurts every time you try to look away. It talks to you...saying, you're a failure, so stop dreaming. But if you want to move forward, you must look away. You must see the new direction. You have to realize that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139:14). The truth is, you're not a failure because failure is not a person, failure is an event. You have to stop looking backward. Right now, in this moment, look ahead, map your journey, commit to a new direction and leave the past behind.
LEAVE THE ANCHORS BEHIND
If you have decided to change, improve, or launch into something new, make up your mind to let go of the anchors that will not make the journey with you. An anchor is a heavy object attached to a rope or chain and is used to moor (tether or tie) a vessel to the sea bottom. Is that someone in your life? Could it be a job you need to leave? Sometimes anchors or habits, activities or traditions that have become toxic. If it's mooring you to the "sea bottom" and you're drowning, that explains why you decided to strive for change. But some changes, mean you'll have to get free of the chains that bind you. Being attached to a person, place, practice or a thing for so long that abnormal feels normal, is bondage. Today, make up your mind, to leave the anchors behind.
LEAVE THE EXCUSES BEHIND
Everybody can think of a good excuse! Excuses are used to release ourselves from a duty or from something required of us. A so-called "good excuse" doesn't have to make sense or be rationale. As long as it justifies getting free of a requirement, the excuse has done its job. The problem is that excuses will stop you from attaining your goals.
Sounds like... It takes too long! I'm too old for this! I'm too young for that! What will people think? I can't take the pain! You know what, I might hurt myself! It's too expensive! That diet is disgusting! And it goes on and on.
Any of those sound like you?
Excuses rob you of the greatness promised to you by God. Romans 1:20 says, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..." That means God has made things so clear that your excuses will not make the cut.
Excuses block vision just as blindness cuts off sight. The more you allow excuses to control your present, the dimmer your future will become. If you want to accomplish something really special this year, you must leave the excuses behind.
LET'S PRAY...
Heavenly Father, I stand corrected. I've tried to make sense of why it's so hard to change. Yet, changing my circumstances continues to ping in my head, speaking to my heart, telling me it's time to move on. Give me the strength to let go and leave the past behind. Show me how to cut the chains and leave the anchors behind. Refresh, renew and renovate my mind to leave the excuses behind. Today, I'm putting my hands to the plow of vision, decision, action and destiny! And all of that other stuff that keeps getting in the way, I leave behind! In the name Jesus Christ, Amen!
Seasoning Faith, Pastor Sean