How can you go forward while looking back
Walk away from old habits and associations.
When you accept Christ’s invitation to join His Holy family, you must walk away from old habits and associations.
No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62 New International Version
This will mean walking away from your drinking buddies and your shopping sisters. It may even include walking away from family (from my experience most Christians receive far more opposition, mockery and contempt from their family than they do from outside). You must forgo destructive habits. This will mean crucifying desire for revenge when some one has wronged you. It means to crucify love of money and material things. They are dead and incapable of loving you back anyways. Why do you want to worship a dead thing is beyond me.
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16
It means to stop being self centered and become instead Christ centered. You must crucify self to Jesus. That means you must put away everything and surrender your all to Jesus. I do not say crucify lightly. For many Christians it is the most painful experience of their lives. It certainly was for me. Unlike Christ’s suffering for six hours on His cross, our cross may last days, weeks or even months. My initial crucifixion lasted three months.
Once through on the other side though I experienced joy and peace such as never before. Every day Christ’s family and Christ Himself draws nearer and nearer to me.
Some things may last years. For example, I am very independent. I believe in taking care of myself. That must daily be crucified. Now there is nothing wrong with having a good work ethic. It is indeed to be respected. The problem is, when you depend upon your work ethic instead of Jesus, you look to self rather than Jesus. THAT is what must be crucified. For something’s they must be crucified daily. They are not as severe as the initial crucifixion, but are just as important to be crucified.
"Strengthen yourselves so that you will live here on earth doing what God wants, not evil things people want." (1 Peter 4:2 New Century Version).
Do you strengthen yourself by crucifying self every day?
Prayer: Please Jehovah Sabaoth, God who goes out in front of us, help me stay focused on moving forward down the road You have wisely chosen for me. Please help me to look forward and not backwards. In the name of Him to who I look forward to being with in Heaven , Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love bless you today and every day.
