Forward not behind!

    Last week I looked at the story of the Red Sea parting in Exodus 14. I focused on the reality that just as God was protecting the Israelites from their enemies while they waited for the sea to part, similarly, God is protecting and keeping us while we are waiting for our situation to turn around.
    In the case of the Israelites, the angel of the Lord and the pillar of cloud that was in front of them, guiding them, simply moved to the back of them. That way, their enemies who were right behind them could not touch them the entire night that the winds blew to part those massive waters. 
    However, something else gets my attention with this movement. Maybe God needed them to be confident that He had their back, that He was covering and protecting them so that they could keep their focus before them. He didn’t need them so distracted by what was happening behind them, that they missed the miracle that was taking place in front of them. Additionally, He had told them to move forward. He needed them to keep their focus in front not behind so that when it was time to move forward they would be able to do so. They would not be going backward trying to deal with what was behind them. 
    I think sometimes, we too get so caught up with what’s going on behind us, even around us, that we miss the miracles, big and small, that are taking place right before our very eyes. Just as the Egyptians were a distraction to what God was doing, in the same way, our challenges and fears can be a distraction to us. We miss being thankful for what God is actually doing. We may also become so caught up with feelings of discouragement and frustration that it is difficult to move forward into what God has in store.
    In Matthew 14:22-33, the disciples were on their way to the other side of the lake by boat. Jesus was not with them but up on a mountaintop praying. The winds became contrary and started to toss the boat around in the water. Jesus went to them walking on water. At first, they didn’t recognise Him but when they did, Peter asked to walk on the water also. Peter was doing fine until he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused once more on the strong winds and rough sea. Immediately, he began to sink.
    Jesus was doing something miraculous but Peter had to keep his eyes focused on Jesus in front of Him and to keep moving forward. From the time he took his eyes off of Him, feelings of fear stepped in and he was unable to keep moving forward. He cut short his opportunity to experience the miraculous.
    We, too, need to keep our focus on God and on what He has done and is doing in our lives. With our eyes fixed on Him instead of behind or around us we will not sink, we will not miss the opportunity to witness and experience the good He is doing in the midst of our challenging situation. And, when it is time to move forward into what God has in store for us, we will be able to do so, not hindered by the distractions around us.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. No matter what is happening around you, God is right there working things out on your behalf. As you keep your eyes fixed on Him, you will be able to move forward into the beautiful things He has in store for you.

---