New beginnings - The importance of remembering and pressing on...

                                  

New beginnings -Remembering and pressing on...

In my last post one of the points I wrote about is the ability to 'keep moving' and I thought it would be appropriate to take this as my New Year theme. However I thought I would reflect on remembering before moving or pressing on.

Hosea 6:3

So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord.

His going forth is as certain as the dawn.

And He will come to us like the rain.....

Like the spring rain watering the earth.

These or ..................................................................... these?

                                    

                      

Sometimes we become familiar with the 'old things' such as comfy slippers, or pair of shoes, or certain operating systems on computers. However these things start to become worn out, or slow and at some point they need replacing. To keep our life running smoothly we need to replace these with new ones. I know that although I can be excited about the new things, I also have pangs of regret that I couldn't keep the old one working or that my new slippers won't be as comfy as the old ones! We can sometimes resist change until it becomes absolutely necessary. However we quickly become accustomed to the new things and then hardly remember the old. It is amazing how quickly we adapt to change and we are able to leave the familiar behind. Things that once were important and felt comfortable to us become insignificant as newer experiences take their place. This is particularly true of the Israelites as they enter the promised land. However new things can be a good thing but there are also consequences and commitment needed such as when you start a diet or fitness regime.


New beginnings can sometimes be our choice and sometimes they may not be. Sometimes we have to learn how to live in the midst of a new beginning that we didn't expect or even want. Often letting go of the familiar and comfortable involves pain and discomfort like breaking in a new pair of shoes or walking boots can be painful at first and cause some blisters until they settle in.
New beginnings can be scary and we can find ourselves paralysed afraid to take another step. However we need to be focused on the goal set before us, keeping our eyes on the prize as Paul says. This calls for commitment, endurance, persistence, resolute, stickability and determination.



One particular memorable moment was when I climbed Scafell Pike with my two children and the further we climbed the more foggy it became. We couldn't even see the cairns on the path to guide us. It was very scary as we didn't know the way ahead and any further steps could take us closer to the edge and then to possible death. So being the responsible parent with terrified children and being fearful myself I decided to turn back. It was at that point a group with an experienced leader came along with their electronic GPS and they were going to continue to the summit so we asked if we could tag along and so we did, as we had set our eyes on achieving the goal of reaching the summit of England's highest mountain and with help at hand it seemed a real possibility. We reached the summit but sadly didn't get any views but we were happy nonetheless.  If you would like to read our experience I found it whilst looking up images of fog on mountains to use in this post and stumbled across a report we wrote and published. I can't remember writing it but funny to stumble across it!

http://www.mountainwalk.co.uk/scafellexperience.html

and here is our 2011 video (if it shows up - still working on it showing) to accompany it if you are so inclined to see Scafell Pike in the mist! 

The point of this illustration  is that when we rely on our own strength for the next step we can fear and not move or turn back. When we are afraid we can trust God being the experienced guide with the best GPS who knows the way ahead and guides you step by step.

The new thing which began in the Apostle Paul would take him into hostile cities, stormy seas and prison cells. He learnt to press on long after the newness had worn off. 

I have been reading Exodus this last few weeks as part of the #BCaD Bible Chapter a Day project some folks from our church have been doing and one particular theme which I've noticed is in Exodus that the leaders constantly remind the people  of Gods faithfulness to them in the past, and how God has fulfilled his promise to them and will continue to do so. In order to press on we need encouragement from what God has done in the past.

             

Why do we need to remember? Two main reasons...

Because we have selective memories.  Do you notice that God didn't wait until the people had got across the Red Sea? God didn't wait until they were in the Promised Land.  God established these memorials because He knew that people remember things selectively.

In our spiritual life we often forget we were once without hope, forget that our salvation depends on God's grace not our goodness,forget the times we thought God had forgot us but was really working behind the scenes,forget the promises we made to God and to each other

The second reason we need to remember the past is Because it Reminds us Of Our Blessings 

We like history as a family and looking back and learning about the past and how the past has shaped our future and remembering what the past has done for us. The same with the Bible. We can read and understand about Jesus from the Old Testament historical accounts. It gives us a greater understanding and fuller picture of what God is like and how everything came into being which helps us make sense of the here and now and gives hope for the future. Also, looking back at our past helps us identify who we are, how God has led us this far and produces thankfulness.

Isn't it great to get out those old video tapes of the kids growing up?  Isn't it a precious thing to look through the photo albums and remember the people who have touched our lives and the events that enriched us? It's hard to look at those things and not be grateful for the blessings we've had.  Sometimes when I start to feel a little discouraged I often will pull out my journals I have where I have placed a number of notes that I have written over the years. I take those notes out and read them and it helps me remember that things are not always hard and life is not always discouraging. There are times when we are able to make a difference.

It is so important to keep believing that the One who has made every promise to us is forever faithful. Through times of loss, hardship and discouragement those times do not change the truth of who God is. Though clouds may block the rays of sunshine and we don't always feel it's warmth, we can be assured that the sun is always shining. The encouragement of God's faithfulness in the past should give us the courage to believe he will be faithful in our present circumstances and in to the new beginning and future. He is with us walking with us in the foggy times and in the sunshine too. You may not always feel he is present but he is always working behind the scenes and walking with you.

Bill Johnson said 'Never look at our disappointments or what God has not done'. This can be difficult to practise. It may seem like you have had a year of disappointments and God has been silent this year and not moving things forward however he is working behind the scenes. He says keep pressing in, don't give up, keep on being faithful and presevere...

As we have wrapped up 2015 may God give us strength to hold fast to the hope we profess, remember what God has done, press on and not give up, having the confidence that God is who He says He is and we are who He says we are. Let us not waiver in our faith so we can keep running the race towards the  prize and keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith.

Here is s song about Moving Forward with God. He makes all things new.

I wish you all a very Happy New Year of remembering and pressing on... to new beginnings and focusing on the One who makes it all happen and the One who loves us more than we ever know. Make it your goal to remember but to press on this year growing deeper into Jesus and rooting yourself more in him so whatever comes your way you will be able to press in and keep firm.