New Things
by Os Hillman, August 20, 2006

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on
toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward
in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:13b-14

Our past can be a hindrance or a help in moving toward God's purposes
for each of us. For some, the past has meant pain and heartache, and
grace is required so that we do not let our past dictate our responses
to the future. If we allow our past to make us a victim, then we have
not entered into the grace that God has for us. If we live on memories
of past successes and fail to raise our vision for new things, we again
are victims of our past.

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland" (Is.
43:19). Our past should only be viewed for what we can learn from it. We
must move forward and avoid viewing the negative or the positive for
more than what we can learn. Many have allowed their past to dictate
their future. God is always about doing new things in our lives. He
gives fresh revelation of His purposes in our lives.

Do not live in the past. Do not hold onto bitterness that may hinder God
from doing new and exciting things in your life. He turns our wastelands
into streams of water to give life, not death.

How have you viewed your past? Has it hindered you in some areas of your
life? Have you relied on past successes to dictate what you will do in
the future? Put aside such thoughts and allow God to do a new thing in
your life. Ask Him to help you see the new things He wants to do in and
through you today.

"When your memories are bigger than your dreams, you're headed for the
grave" [Author unknown].