When Is It Time To Leave?
Written by Heidi McLaughlin
What do you need to leave behind? Clothes that no longer fit you, the exercise bike you never used, the toxic relationship that keeps you awake at night or the divorce papers that affirm you are no longer married? What about your stubborn pride to be right, the need to control, the insistence of staying in your comfort zone? What about your belief that God is silent or has forgotten you?
We can’t change the past, but we can change our future.
We can’t move forward with God to new and exciting potential and exciting places if we spend too much time looking in the rear-view mirror. Here’s the good news. Every time God asks us to leave the past behind, he wants to take us to new heights. Open new doors and give us fresh adventures. For instance:
God called Noah to build an ark and leave everything behind.
Abraham had no idea where he was going, and he left everything to become the Father of many nations.
Jeremiah left his old way of relying on himself and accepted a new way of thinking.
Jesus saw a motley crew of fishermen and asked them to leave everything and follow Him.
Each of these Biblical people were obedient and God not only changed their lives, it changed the course of history. Well, we might say, “Good for them, even though my life is not that great, it is better than the fear of the unknown.” But here’s the great news. All of your past experience is the untapped potential for your best future. In fact, it is messes, hardships, disappointments and suffering that refines and shapes us to be prepared for what lies ahead.
And here’s the best part; our past is our greatest teacher.
The whole world is in chaos, but we don’t have to be. Often, it’s the past that holds us hostage and provides bitter fuel for revenge, broken relationships and your broken heart. Life change doesn't happen by chance; it happens by choosing God’s way instead of your own. Saying yes to God and leaving the past behind is a powerful first step to your new way of thinking. Saying YES to Jesus and following Him may be the first step to letting go of false guilt, shame, regrets, bitterness, unforgiveness and your unresolved pain. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who wants to gently lead and guide you to your new pastures, new streams of living water and new possibilities.
What do you need to leave behind so that you can embrace your unlimited potential and glorious future? With open hands give Jesus your past and let Him guide you into new freedom and joy of new God adventures. Your best future is waiting for you.
