I went for a drive with my best friend on Monday. It was so relaxing to drive through the country and admire the old farm houses, the billowing white clouds and the wide open spaces. As we drove along I noticed the freshly planted wheat fields were just starting to peak out of the ground; showing the world their blossoming green stems and leaves.
When I saw the wheat fields it stirred a longing in my heart for days gone by. When I was little my father used to take us for family drives after church through the country. At the time I couldn't stand having to sit still in the car for such a long time. And now nearly 20 years after my father's death I was longing for those drives and times with my dad and mom.
It's those longings that can get me into trouble and in the middle of a pity party if I don't take my thoughts captive and give them to the Holy Spirit. Now by no means am I saying that is wrong to look back on precious memories or have a desire to want for and try to reach new goals in the future.
Where the problem arises is if we get stuck there.
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
When we get caught in the past or trapped in the future, we miss out on the here and now. We miss out on what God wants us to to do in the present moment. We all have those times when we wish for more, or have a desire to be in a different place then where we're at. When this happens we need to cry out to the Father and ask Him for help to be content in what is.
We only have a certain amount of time on this earth. We are not promised tomorrow. Let's not waste a single moment of the time God has given us. Let's take hold of each and every second and use them for the glory of the King.
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." - Colossians 3:2 (ESV)
It is time for the Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments.
Use hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday
Three rules to this link up:
1. Must be a {Christian} faith post.
2. Link back to W2W somewhere in your post. (Feel free to use our button if you want!)
3. Visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.
Hi Shari. Your words hit home today. My own father passed away just 4 1/2 months ago. The struggle you mentioned above is real ~ with his death, with our "list" of previous household moves, and anywhere a "past" resides. I'm going to hold onto these words, plaster these scriptures in the depth of my heart. Thank you. Blessings to you. Glory to God.
ReplyDeleteShari, your words remind me of a phrase that Elisabeth Elliot used to use --She spoke of "taking herself by the scruff of the neck" and setting herself into a new and better way of thinking. You've done that and given us scriptural basis for doing it ourselves.
ReplyDeleteShari, we do have to refocus our thought and take them captive. I love what Prov. 4.23 says in the NCV, "Be careful what you think. Your thoughts run your life!" When it comes to our feelings that's abundantly true! Thanks so much for hosting. Donna
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