The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the LORD your God. You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.
Leviticus 18:1-3 (NIV)
Lord, You know that I have coined the phrase, “God takes you through something to take you to something.” That has been a source of encouragement to me through difficult times. Yet, this morning my soul hears You reminding me to remember who I am and whose I am because I will face pressures from my past and in my future. My past will continue to be a weight upon me, trying to drag me back to my former ways of seeing and responding to the world. My future will pressure me to conform, tempting me to be like those around me, always whispering in my ear, “Did God really say?”
Today I am reminded that I am Yours and that You are calling me not to go back to where I was and don’t allow where I am going to change me. I can see the negative influences of both scenarios – living in the past and having my guard down in the future – and the impact that they can have on my walk with You. Both are not good.
So Lord today I choose not to define myself by my past nor by the “promise” of what the future holds for me in this world, but by my relationship with You, that I am Yours, and You have a plan for me. You are the LORD my God. Please show me how my past is holding me back and the future is corrupting me. Fill me with the Holy Spirit that I might resist both and follow in the footsteps of my Savior, and live today in a manner that reflects Your glory and is pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.