Last year, when God gave me major instruction to leave a relationship, a home, a city, and a daily routine behind..certain friends, certain jobs, and certain comforts, it was difficult to be obedient. Not because obeying Him was hard, but because that one instruction included all of these things for me to part with at once.

I had moments of wondering why, but I never doubted His love for me, and I never doubted that what was to come would be even better.

There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with knowing that your developing relationship with God is slowly turning into not only you trusting Him, but Him trusting you.

Everything moved so quickly and, at the opportune time, when the Lord permits me to share in detail, I will. This has been one of the most pivotal moments in my life. I’ve documented it all, day by day, and this pruning, waiting, growing, and learning season has been one of the most important seasons of my life.

I’ve been traveling to different cities, meeting different people, and doing lots of things outside of my comfort zone. There have been times when I’ve been challenged with falling into a past memory for too long, daydreaming about things that I still desire, and looking back at who I used to be and wishing certain things still were.

But the Holy Spirit quickly taps me out and always reminds me that I’m exactly where I need to be.

When the Lord gave me specific instruction last year, He anchored me with this Scripture:

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old; behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” — Isaiah 43:18

I recited it every day.Even with tears flowing down my face. Even in moments of anger. Even in moments of doubt and resentment. I recited this.The enemy kept whispering, “Look back.” And the Holy Spirit rebutted, “Remember Lot’s wife.”

The stories of Abraham and Moses are so dear to me. Yes, because they are supernaturally and incredibly powerful and show the mighty workings of God, His nature, His mercy, His justice, and His love.

But I love them because I see so much of myself in them. I see my flaws. I see my zeal. I see my desire to serve God. I see my pain and the desperate need for a Savior. I see how I’m just a woman, made of dust, and that there’s nothing good I can possibly do without the hand of God.

When I think of the story of Lot’s wife, I can’t help but be saddened. I feel for her because I understand her. She didn’t look back because she wanted to run into the fiery, desolate destruction that was happening. She looked back because she wanted to remember what was once her comfort. She wanted to look back at where she was living in captivity. She wanted to look back at where there wasn’t a relationship with God.

In the spirit, she was looking back with sadness and perhaps a little longing for all that the enemy had given her, without realizing it was from the enemy. Not necessarily to run back to it, but to get a taste of it.

How ironic that God turned her into a pillar of salt.

It makes me wonder: When God is clearly showing you that He’s bringing you OUT of destruction, out of captivity, out of ruins, torment, and death…why would any part of you long to look back and remember it?

Lot’s wife was foolish, but Lot’s wife was us.

How many times have we looked back? How many times have we longed for what we know isn’t good for us? How many times have we flirted with things of old? How many times have we disobeyed God?

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, even in our disobedience, there is redemption through repentance. But this doesn’t mean our acts of disobedience don’t have consequences.

The consequence of looking back can be loss of time. It can be stagnation, delay, or other hindrances we aren’t even aware of. Things that could have been avoided if we simply listened and trusted that the One who made us knows what’s best for us.

The Lord tells us in Isaiah to not even CONSIDER the things of old.

Consideration is an invitation to accepting.

Opening the door slightly, although not all the way, is still opening the door. It may not allow a large object to fit through the crack, but a smaller one still can.

The enemy is a chameleon, a shapeshifter. There is no limitation to the forms he decides to take. All he needs is the invitation and the open door to have legal access to enter. Your agreement.

Looking back does so much more harm to us than we are aware of. It doesn’t allow us to be fully aware or present for the new thing God is trying to do for us and in us.

If we are not fully focused, we are not able to perceive when God is working. And when we cannot perceive what He is doing, we can miss the opportunity to partner with Him in bringing His will to fruition.

Romans 12:2 says:

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may know what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Our minds have to be renewed and fixated on Him daily. Cleansed daily of worldly thoughts, desires, and systems. Dying daily to our old selves and our old ways so that we can be renewed and transformed with the mind of Christ. This is what it means to be Christlike.

When we are in alignment with Him, we are able to hear Him and receive the instruction and information that allows us to walk in His perfect will.

God’s protection doesn’t always look like leading us through the Red Sea to the Promised Land.

God’s protection doesn’t always look like a ram in the thicket as Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac.

But God’s protection always looks like His provision.

What these supernatural acts in Scripture have in common is that God showed up, and God provided.

He is the same God, doing the same providing.

He will always be Jehovah Jireh (God who provides).

So whatever season you are in, whatever trials you are facing, or however long you are waiting for God’s instruction, remember to not look back.

Do not miss what was. Rejoice in the new that’s coming.

Rejoice in the fact that God is doing a work in you that will bring you even closer to Him.

Trust in the One who sees and knows all.

Whatever is burning behind you. Whatever destruction is behind you. Whatever God is calling you to walk away from, despite what you believe it is, it is nothing but dust and ash.

And no matter whatever that thing was in your life, there is no more use for what has been burned.

PRAYER-

Heavenly Father,

Give me the strength to do your will. Renew my mind and give me the wisdom and spiritual knowledge of when you are calling me into a new thing. Refresh my eyes to see my surroundings and the discernment to know when it no longer sustains the person you are calling me to be. I ask for your desires for my life to surpass the desires I have. Humble me, so I can walk in a posture of humility. Reveal yourself to me and point me to the scriptures daily that show you as Jehovah Jireh. I surrender my will and trust that yours is always better. I Release the hold on me the enemy has to keep me bound in old things. I repent for my disobedience and rejection of the new you are trying to bring me into. Your ways are better God, and Higher, have your way Holy Spirit.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

SCRIPTURE TO MEDITATE ON

Isaiah 43:19, Romans 12:2, Isaiah 55:9