Moving Forward, Moving On

I love how this past summer went. It was everything I could have hoped for and more. Honestly. Now that I am home, though, I am finding it incredibly difficult to get back into the swing of things here.

I find my mind wandering back to moments and memories that I will always treasure. I can't stay there, though. Moving forward is essential. God is beckoning me onward towards Him into the next great adventure that this school year will bring. He calls me towards all the hope and promise of what He will do with this ram shackled life of mine.

So with that, I step forward back into the life that was here before I left. I step back in hoping not to fall back into the complacent place I was in before. I think that is what scares me the most. I grew so much this summer, even when I didn't think that I did. Even when situations became difficult and God felt a million miles away, I still pressed on and found His handiwork in all things. Even towards the end when I felt so distant and drained. I leaned on God's strength for the final push and felt arms that created the universe embrace me and comfort me all the way up to the car ride home.

Now I am home. Home is complacent. I am determined not to let it be so. God has a plan for this time in my life. Jeremiah 29:11. A funny thing about Jeremiah 29:11. First off, here is the verse.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Did you know that in the original Greek, it was not written "plans to prosper"? It was written "plans for shalom". Shalom means peace. Not just any peace, though. The peace that surpasses all understanding. Deep seeded, unfathomable peace. So the verse really should read:

"For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans for shalom (peace) and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." That is awesome. God's plans for us include soul comforting, all consuming peace. I like that.

I am longing for shalom. I believe that God is moving in my heart to bring me to that place of shalom as I continue to travel on this narrow way path with my Lord. First, I have to move forward and quit stalling in the past. Realize there is much work to be done here. To roll up my sleeves and prepare for the harvest to begin.

Thank You for shalom, Lord. Thank You for Your leading. Bring comfort and peace to this road weary soul and push me forward even when I want to go back. Thank You, Jesus. I love You. :) Amen.