Old Pics



Why do I envy that old photo of me 27 years ago with long flowing hair and a waistline?  That girl was so afraid, so sick, so sad, so confused about her identity, so insecure.  She longed  for a million hurts of others to be gone. She longed for a strong connection with God.  She was not lost, but she felt very lost.  She couldn't comprehend that she was always in the palm of God's hand.  

Acts 17:26 "God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.  28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being."  

He was there with me. 

So why let an old pic create a longing for what once was?  Or often a "do-over!" Each season of my life was teaching me to trust, to love, to ask for and receive.  Receive healing physically, emotionally and spiritually.  We all need that.  And from those places, those seasons, grows a tender KNOWING of HIM.  The "peace that passes understanding" is HIM dwelling in me.  Philippians 4:7  

 Is that possible? Yes!  Is it every moment? No.  But it's not because He's not with me.  It's because I let life block my view of Him.  Life hurts.  Life also has gifts.  I'm learning to reach through the hurts and hold the gifts until the peace is fully present in every moment, if not now, then in heaven.

The "present me" is with a "present God!"  The me with some gray hair, some wrinkles, and some added inches, the person I am now understands that.  The person I am now also knows that the future me will be different still.  The road will not always be easy.  And when I'm hurting, it can still feel like I'm lost.  But I have a new vantage point.  I am older, and I have seen the hand of God as I look past at the storms.  He is faithful.  I often quote 1 Thessalonians 5:24 "He who calls is faithful, He also will do it."

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18 

Let the old pics remind me of the Love of God, and how HE strengthened me through time, and HE continues to strengthen me, one day at a time.  Let the pics remind me that HE is still "making all things new."  Revelations 21:5.  One day there will be no more tears, no more pain.  We will be made new and experience the heaven that we know is real.  But we can believe and experience Jesus Christ who we know is real, right now!  

 I can smile at that old pic, thankful for that girl.  She kept searching, He kept calling...she heard HIM, she continues to hear HIM.  Lord please keep pursuing me, I want to pursue you.  Thank you for the cross and for teaching me day by day who I am.  My identity is in You, and because of the cross I am blessed, redeemed, adopted, forgiven, chosen, accepted and loved!  Ephesians chapter 1!  And it's not my work, but Your work in me.  "For in me weakness, You are strong."  2 Corinthians 12:9.

 Are you longing for a former season, a future season, or another person's apparent season?  If that resonates with you, at this very moment in time you can shift from what "you think you long" for to "the One you long for."  You can be set free today, right now. 

 It can be a truth from these Scriptures that you say, and you may have to wait for it to go from head to heart.  But let me encourage you, there is no need to wait. It's time to practice His presence.
He. Is. Everything. Right. Now.
"For in Him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28

Hillsong, New Wine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbJaM_EneMw

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