I don't wanna
I just can't
take that
next step forward
because
that means
I have to face what I don't want to face
and
what I have to face
is a
new normal
that comes with
accepting
what is
and
leaving
what was
because
I have no choice.
Have you been there?
Are you there now?
Having to to take that one step forward
when you want to go backwards
because
what was
is also one step behind you
following you.
The
what was
could be the way that things were
that were good
that is your normal~
but then you get the news that shakes your normal
as it won't be normal again...
or
the
what was
could be things that weren't so good
that you just can't let go
yet
that keep plaguing you.
Going backwards
when you just want to throw the towel in
because it appears to be so much easier
than
stepping into the unknown
of
the new normal.
But either way
taking a
step backwards
is just that~
a step backwards
to
what was.
Do you have a "what was" that you just can't let go?
Do you have a "new normal" that you have no choice but to accept,
a new normal that you have to step into?
The
new normal
that is
one step away
because
what was normal
is no longer,
and you have to go forward
even though you don't want to.
So how do you
So how do I
take that next forward
when going backwards
is so much easier?
Put You into Paul's Story
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
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 3:14
"Forgetting what is behind"~
the old normal.
Forgetting
with
His Forgiveness
whether it is
forgiving yourself
or
forgiving another.
Straining Toward
Pressing Forward~
words that produce
sweat
because
it is
stepping forward
into
in the
new normal~
into the way it is going to be
as you have no control to change it.
Straining Toward
Pressing Forward
into the
new normal
with
Acceptance~
an
accepting of
the
new normal
as the
new normal
even if the
new normal
has come through a
trial
a loss
a revelation or
bad news~
the
new normal
that rocks your world.
But
the
new normal
that is
grounded
in
Hope~
not in a hope that it will change
because what if it never does?
But in
Hope
Who
never changes,
Jesus~
Who is Who
He says
He is
and
Who
does what
He says
He will do.
Straining Toward
Pressing Forward
in
Peace
that isn't based on everything going according to our plan
but a
Peace
in the midst
of the storm
of the emotions
of the shock
of the
new normal
that you can't do anything about,
But in
Peace
Who never changes,
Jesus~
Who is Who
He says He is
and
Who does what
He says He will do.
His
Peace
that transcends all understanding
because you can't produce it on your own.
It only takes
one step,
one step forward
that feels like a
Straining Toward
that feels like a
Pressing Forward
but
the one step
that is possible
when
our eyes
our heart
&
our mind
are
fixed off of
what was
or
what things could have been
if only
the
new normal
didn't come our way.
Taking that one step
with
our eyes
our heart
&
our mind
fixed on
Who is
Who was
Who always be.
Let's
take the hand of the
One
Who has gone before us
Who has
Strained Toward
Who has Press Forward
because of the
joy
awaiting Him,
He endured the cross,
disregarding its shame. Hebrews 12:2
for me
for you
He took the step
with
His Eyes
fixed
beyond the brutal cross
but on the
joy
of what
His One Step Foward
did~
saving all our lives
giving us a
NEW NORMAL
that will never be taken away
no matter
what
new normal
we are experiencing.
So
let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2
Straining Toward
Pressing Forward
in Him
who wants to take us
down the road
paved with
Love
Peace
Hope
and
Joy
that never changes
because
that is
Who He is
and that is
Who we are
in
Him.