When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze
Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
I was cycling with my dad the other day, just outside our hometown. The road that we were on was between some farmlands. It was so beautiful seeing the sun setting on the green crops. Although the scenery was so beautiful, the wind was quite against us on our way back home. I often heard a car approaching from behind and then I would slack down and move in behind my dad to make more space for the car to drive by. But when I looked around to determine how far the car was behind us, there was no car. I eventually learned that it was the sound of the wind coming from upfront that made it sound like a car approaching. And then it hit me that this is what we experience in life as well. We are all on our journey, riding in the present and on our way to the future. Sometimes opportunities come along the way to make us stronger and prepare us for the future, but if we don’t see it as opportunities to grow, we might see it as too big of a challenge, because it reminds us of our past mistakes or when we weren’t strong enough.
If I had known that it was the wind all along that made that sound in my ears, I would’ve forgotten about what is behind me and press forward against the wind, focusing on getting stronger by riding against it. Focus on the goal, on what is lying straight ahead, rather than slacking down because of things that are already long gone.
What I also learned through that experience was that as soon as I moved in behind my dad, there was no sound of wind blowing that I could hear. My dad was blocking the wind coming from upfront. I was safe finding shelter behind him. And that is what our loving Father also wants us to do, to find shelter and protection underneath His wings. The wind of life can sometimes come from all directions, it’s so good to know that God isn’t just in front of us on this journey, but all around us. He wants us to keep on moving and pressing on with Him in this journey of life.
I can just see Him enjoying the journey with us, reminding us to not forget to see the view and beauty of His nature around us. The past is in the past, God will not bring opportunities on your path without equipping you for it or leaving you to face it on your own.
NEEDTOBREATHE - Into the mystery (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql8Qo4XLftM)
No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].
1 Corinthians 10:13 (AMP)
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