CAMELOT FANTASIES

We Stumble

We are our own stumbling rock when we hold on to past regret, past hurt and the reluctance to forgive others and at times, ourselves. Often it is the reason why we stumble and why we keep ourselves intertwined in a habitual  pattern, making the same choices, feeling the same pain and betrayal and we stay fallen…..defeated.   

Look at what Paul wrote in Philippians 3:12-16:

“I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us.”

Paul let go! At the time of the writing, he tells us that he had not reached where he knew God wanted him to be, but he did not give up! He maintained himself in the race, trusting and obeying God, knowing that greater things will come.

We can choose to let go. Of course,  we can confide in humanity to help us in times we need healing, but I promise you that often time, at some breaking point, mankind will fail you or we can seek God to help us carry what we alone can not bear. God, in His infinite mercy and love will deliver you.  Read  Isaiah 43:1-7:

“But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says: Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.  When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel. I gave Egypt and Ethiopia and Seba to Cyrus in exchange for your freedom, as your ransom.  Others died that you might live; I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me and honored, and I love you.  Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you from east and west,  from north and south. I will bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the farthest corners of the earth.   All who claim me as their God will come, for I have made them for my glory; I created them.

Now that is an awesome and powerful promise!

We can choose to either learn and grow from our experiences, whether good or bad. We can choose to stay on the ground and be stomped on by life, those around us and mainly ourselves. We can choose to be refined and molded by the world, whose treasures are limited, corruptible and perishable or we can choose to be refined and molded  by the hands of God, whose rewards are joyful and eternal. Choose!