Know When to Move On

 

By Andrea Merrell

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking

 forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the

 race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, 

through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:13-14 NLT

 

“Things change,” my friend said. “It seems nothing ever stays the same. I guess it’s time for me to move on.”

Her words caused me to look back over the years at all the seasons of my life I thought would last forever. Jobs. Relationships. A home church. But as the old saying goes, “When one door closes, another one opens.”

What I learned through each scenario is that when we belong to the Lord, He has a plan and purpose for each of us. There are seasons of our life that may last a few days, a few months, or even a few years. The good news is He gives us grace for each season—and when it ends, so does the grace. That’s when we know it’s time to move on.

I’ve tried to hang on at times, even when I knew a certain season had come to an end. It’s easy to become a creature of habit and resist change. But change is never a bad thing when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide.

Paul said he had learned to be content in any given circumstance (Philippians 4:11). He made the best of it and did what he was called to do. But he also knew when it was time to move on to his next assignment. He changed his focus, forgot about the past, and looked forward to what lay ahead.

Don’t spend your time looking back, grieving over what was. Keep your eyes on the Lord, as Paul did, and let Him lead you into your next adventure.

Photo by Mantas Hesthaven on Unsplash

Learn to Embrace Change

 

By Andrea Merrell

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

 

“I don’t like this,” the woman said to me. “My life used to be so simple. I just want everything to stay the same.”

Change is inevitable. We all resist it from time to time, but it’s the only constant we can count on. People change. Rules change. Situations change, sometimes for the good, sometimes not. But the more we resist—and try to hold on to the past—the harder it becomes to go forward, grow in our faith, and maintain our peace.

This world is in a constant, ever-evolving state of transformation, but God and His Word never change. The Bible says He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). His Word is forever settled in heaven (Psalm 119: 89). And when we give our hearts and lives to Him, our name is forever engraved on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16).

Seasons come and seasons go. There is a time and purpose for everything. Don’t fight the changes in your life. Embrace them and trust God for the outcome.

Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash