Hindsight is always 20/20. We always look back and see what coulda, woulda, shoulda been done differently, or we look back and are grateful that things went exactly how they were supposed to. I personally have learned over the years, that I don’t care much to look back, mainly because I don’t live there, but only to learn the lessons needed there. To do better here. To be a better me, moving forward. I believe that, that is truly the only reason to ever look back. There is no reason to dwell on the past and to wish that things could’ve been different. The only respect you can give the past is to learn from it and move on. The other thing, I find most interesting about the past – is that it tends to have some rose-tinted glasses. We look back and think about how good things were and wish we were there, not realizing how we actually felt in that moment. The turmoil that caused that situation, how much younger and less wise we were then, or we only remember the details we want versus what actually happened.
One of my favorite stories in the Bible that has given me so much hope as a Christian, is the story of Sarah and Abraham. Starting in Genesis 11, we see Sarah and Abram start off on their journey to move far away from their families and go where the Lord leads them. We see as God promises Abram to be the Father of many nations. But it’s a vague promise, on purpose, to lead Sarah and Abram to having faith in God for the answer. And, when God gives Abram this promise, Sarah overhears, and laughs. Openly, blatently laughs. She scoffs at the promise. Then, as we all know, she proceeds to try to do things her way. Which is thoroughly unsuccessful really. Then, she waits. Then, she finally gives in to believe that maybe, just maybe, God has his own plan, and he can truly perform this miracle whenever He wants, and it will happen. <— Sound like anyone you know?
Sounds like me. God gives me a promise, and I proceed to stick my nose in there and start trying to do what I think I need to do to make it happen. Instead of letting things progress naturally. Instead of truly sitting back a little further, and really waiting for my cues. I start reading into things, and thinking, this must be what God meant. Instead of the true, rhema moment where there is no question, this is what God meant.
Which, when you read all that, you’re like, “Why would she find this encouraging?” And, I say, good question.
Because then we flip ahead, like way ahead. To Hebrews 11, and the Hall of Faith. Where Sarah is listed as a woman of Great Faith.
And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.
Hebrews 11:11
She is listed right along there with Enoch and Noah and Joseph. As one of the Greats. Someone who laughed, who tried to do it her own way, and then finally came into the fold. Someone who is by all accounts very human. I really appreciate that they took the time to make sure she was in there. That it couldn’t have been easy. Definitely wasn’t recounted as being easy. Sometimes the most worthwhile things aren’t easy, in fact, more often than not, they’re not easy. So – sometimes you can be deep in the faith like Joseph, just walking along the crazy path that God’s laid out for you, and sometimes you can be like Sarah, essentially kicking and screaming the whole way. And, we’re still going to end up with the Father. Our heart is still in it. Some paths are just easier than others, even though they’re all still part of the same path. Sometimes, it’s just a little harder and it’s more uphill. But God knows our hearts, and as long as we stick with Him, and try to continue to grow and do what is right and walk with the Lord, then we will assuredly make it into the Hall with the others.
I hope you found this encouraging, I hope you see how utterly flawed and human our predecessors are and that you can continue to have hope in yourself and in the Father. His eyesight is always 20/20 on us. He knows exactly where we’re going, and He will always be there with us, every step of the way.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You. Thank you for having faith in us. Thank you for the grace that you give that abounds toward us. That you always care for us, and are there for us, and have only good things for us. Thank you for all that You do, and all that You are. Thank you for your Amazing Grace and Love. May you bless the work of our hands, and the words from our mouths as we go forward, and out into the world. That we bless others, as you have blessed us. Each and every day. Thank you for all that You do, and all that You are, and all that You would have us be. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!!
Walking in Faith 