An Inkling
One of my prayer disciplines
is to journal about what the Lord is teaching me, what I’m facing, what I’m
praying, etc. I’ve been doing this for
over 30 years. And for the last few
years I’ve gone back in a new year and read through my journals from previous
decades. So far I’ve read 1984, and now I’m
reading 1994, with 2004 yet to come.
Many have offered aphorisms
to describe the long journey with Christ.
Reading these old journals, here’s how I would put it: I thank
God that I’m not where I was. I thank
God that I’m not where I will be. And I
thank God for where he has me right now.
I thank God that I’m not where I was.
By God’s grace, I’ve actually moved past some
things – some habits, fears, and perceptions that hobbled me in serving him and
knowing his joy. So looking back has
been encouraging.
I thank God that I’m not where I will be. Progress in
the journey is not the same as having arrived.
The Lord has plenty of habits, fears, and perceptions that he still intends
to reform in me. So looking forward
brings hope.
And I thank God for where he has me right now. Some
day I will “fast forward” to the destination.
But for now the journey is slow.
Even so, the Company is good. And
if He’s okay being with me at this point, I can be too.
How about you? Take a gander at where you’ve been. Catch a glimpse of where He’s taking
you. And know that where you are right
now is no accident. Then rejoice!
And move on!
Keith
