Prisoners of the Past

Isaiah 43:16-19

New International Version (NIV)

16 This is what the LORD says—

he who made a way through the sea,

a path through the mighty waters,

who drew out the chariots and horses,

the army and reinforcements together,

and they lay there, never to rise again,

extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.

Where is it that God is inviting you into something new?

How are you holding back, or allowing the past, even the good past, from keeping you from moving forward?

What are the things that God says we cannot let go of and must take with us, and what are the things that God invites us to let go of so we can see what new thing God is up to?

Memories . . . what's too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget . . . remember the lyrics to that song? (This will date many of you if you do). Memories . . .

Ever feel stuck in the past? Caught at the crossroads, not sure which way to go? Feeling pulled in one direction and yet feeling restrained in other ways, all the while feeling like the wavering is draining your life away? Memories can do that. They can also be rich and liberating. Encouraging us to look forward to the future as we recall the good things of the past. What role do your memories play for you? Do you feel more stuck or more liberated as you remember?

That's what Pastor Jon invites us to reflect upon as he explores Isaiah 43 with us. Take a few moments to reflect on the passage again (you can find it to the right) and notice what surfaces for you as you read, reflect and listen to God speaking to you in this passage. What is it that God invites them to remember? What does God invite us to forget? How does God invite them to engage those memories? We can all think of ways that bad memories can hinder us as we move forward . . . but what about our positive memories? Are there ways that even our good memories can keep us from moving forward? Are there ways that our love affair with the "good ole days" can prevent us from seeing what God is wanting to do right now?

We love to make blue prints. We love to figure it out ahead of time. We want to control our futures by drawing blue prints based on our past. Meanwhile, God is wanting to do something new. Something fresh. But our fascination with old wine skins can sometimes prevent us from being able to accept the new wine that God provides. Sometimes we think we like it better when we can keep God all boxed in and figured out. But it can also be liberating to let God out of the box and let Him be Who He is in our lives!

If you would like to listen once again to Pastor Jon's reflection on this passage, you can access our sermon library by clicking here. (And of course, we'd love to have you join us so you can hear this in person and enjoy the fellowship of others who are on a similar journey too. If you haven't already, please come and join us!)