Chapter 16 – “My future is determined by my past and my present.”

Wilderness Mentality #1

We have returned to the Israelites 40-year pilgrimage through the wilderness that should have been an 11-day trip. Why did it take them so long? Because they had a wilderness mentality.

The Israelites had a firm grasp of where they had come from – Egypt. And what they had been – slaves. The Israelites knew where they were – lost. And what they were – wanderers. The Israelites still doubted their future home – the Promised Land. And they were disbelieving of who they were to be – God’s chosen people.

God wants us to look forward to Him. God wants us to lift our face to Him. God wants us to trust our future to Him.

But the unknown is frightening. Some people don’t know if there will be a meal for them tonight. Some people do not know if they will find shelter tonight. People are of uncertain of the guarantee of a job tomorrow. Today may be “normal”, but it might all come crashing down tomorrow.

God asks us not think on yesterday for it is already past. He also says not to be anxious about tomorrow for it’s not even here yet. Only concern yourself with right now. There are enough cares right at this moment. Cast those cares on God. He will take care of you. He is with you every moment. When your eyes are on Him each moment, your burden in lifted.

Where you come from is of no matter. Where you are now is of no consequence. God has plans to prosper you and not to harm you. He can take every bad thing and use it for good. And He can take every good thing and use it for amazing wonders.

And even if I do look back at every event, situation, trauma, and triumph that made me who I am today … why, I wouldn’t be me without them. But I do not need to dwell on them or relive them.

If you’re always looking over your shoulder, you miss the gorgeous scenery along the way and you might even run into a door instead of walking through it to a new and greater opportunity.

The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.”
Genesis 13:14-15