Letting Go Of The Future

Letting_GoWe have all struggled with our past. Some have needed to forgive others, some have needed to forgive themselves. Holding onto the past is like shackling yourself to a heavy ball and chain. It is spiritual bondage. I have had to let go of many things from my past and having done so I have experienced spiritual freedom the likes I never thought possible.

But I also struggle with my future. I am not talking about struggling about my salvation. I long ago dealt with that by not trusting my emotions about my salvation and trusting only God’s Word. My eternity is secure and I rest assured in that truth.

No, I’m talking about my future here on earth. I struggle with the future of my country. As you know, my family and I have invested much in this country. I’ve given 22 years of my life serving in the military. My only son Eddie gave the last full measure on September 19, 2007 when he breathed his last breath on an Iraqi desert floor.

I’ve been meditating on this devotion for almost a week now; since last Friday while I was at the men’s retreat. I shared with a couple of brothers that God had revealed to me that I needed to let go of the future. One of them, a dear close brother in Christ thought that was a peculiar thing to say. I agree that it is. But for me, it makes perfect sense.

Throughout this week and the beginning of this month for that matter, the Holy Spirit has instructed me to return to God’s Word that I trust for my salvation assurance and be refreshed in my thinking about my future here on earth. The Apostle instructed Christians in Rome thusly:

    “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Romans 8:12-17)

I am not to live my life here on earth as though God the Creator is not in control. My King Jesus has control over all creation:

    “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:15-18)

I know now that God had me meditate on this after seeing the shenanigans in Washington DC unfold this week, particularly last night. Evil has removed its veil and is showing itself in its true light. Masquerading as an angel of light is used only against those who are still naïve of evil’s presence. Our enemy and his workers of iniquity are clearly before us and Scripture warns us:

    “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

This week I have come to the point that I am purposing in my heart to no longer waste time gnashing my teeth at the enemy (both without and within my camp), wringing my hands over the corruption of the Washington elite, or raging against the machine. I will no longer look with my temporal eyes but with eternal eyes knowing no matter what life brings here on earth, no matter the decline of America, I will stay focused on my final future. I will not be overcome by my circumstances:

    “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

This does not mean that I am giving up the fight. I am not becoming one of those cowardly Christians who refuse to get into the arena of ideas or step onto the battlefield of issues that face us as a people. Far from it. I am determined more than ever to pour my life into the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to shine the light of His truth onto all life’s circumstances.

No, I am not caving in…

…I’m just letting go of the future.

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2013 David Jeffers

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