Lay It Down

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd August 14, 2016 - Filed in Devotional - 9,100 views
  Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13 WEB
  
  I was at a very dark place in my life. Doctors had placed me on anti-depressants, yet I remained a recluse with suicidal thoughts. Once I had carried the precious anointing of the Holy Spirit. Now I only carried misery and felt that He could not be found. It was certainly me that withdrew from Him, and now I felt alone in the gloom. How did I get here? It is a long story that is not that relevant, but how it changed is.
  
  There was a very small light in the darkness, a small ray of hope. The Lord started speaking to me very gently, like someone trying to ease up to an injured animal. Slowly, He led me out of the darkness. I found that He still had a plan for my life, but that I had to follow Him. It took action. I had to make serious changes in my life that others disliked. You cannot steer a car that is sitting still; it just gets older. Albert Einstein said, 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.'
  
  Every journey begins with a first step. If you allow it, your past can determine your future for you. You can make a choice though, and change today. Life is funny; keep laying a little stone here and another there and soon you have built a wall around yourself. We all do it over time. It tends to happen naturally and the older that we get, the more past that we have built up around us. Eventually, it traps us inside of it and becomes our identity. If you meet someone and they immediately start talking about their past, you are looking at their wall.
  
  Do not let your past, or other people control your future. You are older and wiser today. This is your life, a new day, a fresh beginning. You are forgiven and God still has plans for you. Press on for the prize and do not let the enemy hold you back this time. There is still hope, for what you see does not have to be. God will always call you into the brightest version of your life and every other path is inferior to His. Hold tight to the rope that He gives you, and let go of the past.
  
  Prayer: Father I come to You today and I thank You being there for me. Draw me out of my shell Lord, draw me to You. Give me a clear vision of my next step. Inspire me to make the right decisions in my life and lead me this day, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
  
  Note: Happy Sunday! For those participating in our Sunday services, Pastor Dion will be speaking on fasting today. As with each week, we will also have live, interactive prayer time, where the congregation can all lift up all each of the requests. ALSO, for those who are not familiar with them, we have several great booklets from Guideposts magazine on the website that we have converted into web format and audio and are available for free :). If you are interested or they have already blessed you, we encourage you to go to the Guideposts link on the site menu and post a comment. Thank you all for your support, encouragement and participation, and just for being part of the RHM family!