Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead

I always look forward to birthdays, Christmas/New Year celebrations, summer/winter breaks, etc. Basically, I’m excited to see how new and different it will be this time. As the youth ministry in ROL Baltimore head onto a new season, I also look forward to what God is going to do with the youth ministry here in ROL Rockville. In Isaiah 43:18-19, the Lord declares: “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” NOW, that sounds even MORE exciting!!!

God wants us to let go of the past things…the Father doesn’t want us to keep dwelling in the past. Of course, we need to remember His faithfulness in our lives but He doesn’t want us to keep looking back to the point that we miss what’s in front of us. And most especially, He doesn’t want us to keep focusing on the setbacks of the past.

God wants us to recognize and acknowledge the new things He’s doing right now…the Father wants us to be aware of what He is doing right in front of us. He is working even though we may not see immediate outcomes. He wants us to see things through His perspective, beyond what our minds can even fathom.

God wants us to look ahead with faith to the new things He will do…the Father wants us to look forward to what He is going to do with confidence that He is able. He wants us to believe that He will do miracles; that He will make all things possible; and that He will work new things through each of us—no exception, young or old.

So, rise up and take heart! Be encouraged to press on to God’s calling. Let’s look ahead with faith to what God is going to do in and through the lives of our youth, and overall, the whole church. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” [Ephesians 3:20-21]

Reflect on this:
Is there something (or maybe even someone) from the past that is holding you back and keeping you from moving forward? Trust in the mighty power of God who can do miracles and wonders in your life. Let the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, change you, transform you, and empower you to be used for God’s glory.

Take this to heart:
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” [Philippians 3:13-14]

Written by JA Guevarra, one of the youth leaders at River of Life Church – Baltimore

Comments are closed.