Keep moving forward and don’t look back

“I wish I could go back to 2019,” said Ty.

“Me too, Ty. Me too.”

This was our dinner time conversation last week. Ty was reminiscing about the great times we had in 2019, and we were missing it. COVID is nothing but a fun-sucker, and we’re growing tired of it.

Deep down, Ty and I want to party like it’s 1999 or maybe 2019. Either way, we’re over the madness.

Together, we discussed whether we should relive 2019, it’s safe right? We already know what to expect. OR dare venture into the unknown of what the future will bring?

I was telling the fam why we should head back to 2019. “It’s safe,” I said. “What if (the future) turns out like 2020?”

I no longer spit those words out of my mouth when a much wiser man (my 15-year-old) spoke some very profound and convicting words to his momma.

“We aren’t meant to go back. We are meant to move forward, mom.”

Geesh, kid! I’m the one who’s supposed to be telling you all this stuff. But just like that, God spoke to my heart and reminded me how right my son was.

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. [11] They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? [12] Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Exodus 14:10-12 (NIV)

I now see my heart was stuck in Egypt. God brought me to 2020 and all I’ve wanted to do is to go back to 2019. 2020 has been hard. I have lost loved ones this year, experiencing a pandemic, witnessing social injustice and racial division. It has not been the year that many of us hoped for. But does that give us reason to retreat?

No, it doesn’t.

God has not brought you out of Egypt (whatever that is for you) to let you die in this situation. The Israelites cried out in the face of their troubles, wondering why God would have Moses bring them out of Egypt to die in the desert. (Side note: They didn’t die. (see Ex 14:13-14)

Sometimes we’re guilty of questioning God, even willing to go back to something that isn’t God’s best for us. The Israelites left Egypt for the promised land, but when things became sketchy, they were ready to retreat.

Friend, I asked myself and I dare ask you; where is your faith? Faith by definition IS being sure of the things we hope for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11). Despite the year, the struggle, the pain, we have a hope in Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life in heaven. We have a promised land, all our own. We may not see it yet or see how the struggle will play out, but we can believe for it, and that my friend is FAITH.

Faith is looking at the giant, the COVID, the bills, the illness, or at the relationship and CHOOSING to move FORWARD. Leaning in to Jesus and moving forward in faith despite what we see. Faith isn’t about how we feel, it’s despite how we feel.

Don’t retreat, WE HAVE A DELIVERER, His name is Jesus!

I am with you, friend! I’m pulling up my boot straps and moving FORWARD in faith today.

13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)

Cassie Downs, formerly of the Ellsinore area, is a speaker, author of Chasing Jesus, a 60 day devotional, and founder of Everyday Jesus Ministry. Connect with Cassie on Facebook, Instagram, or online at cassiedowns.com.