Digging Around in the Past

     Today, we finished our study of Breathe-making room for Sabbath by Priscilla Shirer. The main theme was that we, as God's children, need to respect His command to honor the Sabbath. She called it creating margin in our lives. At first, my mind said, "Outdated idea, where is this going?" Then I realized as I read and listen more, that my idea of calling God's idea of Sabbath "outdated" was my flesh talking. My flesh or sin nature wants to keep going, keep being entertained, keep being stimulated, just as Satan would want my flesh to respond.
     The saying, "There is no rest for the wicked," should be taken to heart by the Christian. Satan would want you and me to be unsatisfied, so we will not stop searching, seeking, and trying to find out what will make us happy. Such a journey for some is a lifetime endeavor and what does it get a person? Depression, despondency, discouragement, and sometimes drunkenness, because frankly looking inward, isn't going to gain us any happiness. But looking upward and outward, we'll find God and our purpose of serving others.
     In a discussion this morning, one woman noted how we are not to keep going back to our past failures, mistakes, or continue in feelings of guilt. God doesn't call us to our past, He calls us to our future. The murky pond of my past needs a "No Fishing" sign. I can't figure out what to do next by digging around in my past. Satan would have me put on my thigh-high wading boots and wander around in a muddy marsh of smelly water full of death, disease, and decay. God wants to clothe me in His righteousness and put on His full armor of protection. He wants me to be still, stand firm, and let Him fight my battles even those that include "ghosts" from my past.

Isaiah 43:18-19 

"Forget the former things; 

do not dwell on the past. 

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland…"