Don't. Look. Back.

Susan Stewart writes practical, often humorous encouragement to the family of God, written from a biblical perspective. In this New Year's UPGRADE, she says we need a God-focused, forward point of view in the new year.

"Many of us experienced drought conditions in 2022. Central Texas was no different," Susan says.

"We knew the situation was worsening when coyotes began moving closer to the ranches. During that time, our hen Louise learned the perils of a coyote on her tail . . . literally." (Louise is the black hen, pictured above.)

I (Dawn) don't like it when wildlife moves closer to homes. I live in a part of California where coyotes get too close for our comfort. I'm glad I don't have chickens to protect! I love it that Susan created this teachable moment.

Susan continues . . .

Louise and her pal Thelma didn’t like to stay in the yard with the other chickens. They were ever stretching their boundaries.

One hot afternoon, I heard a chicken warning squabble. I looked out to see Louise running as fast as her legs could take her with a coyote right behind her. Apparently, she forgot she fly back into the safety of the yard.

Once the hungry predator heard our dogs, it turned from Louise and darted into the trees.

I noticed it didn’t have a chicken in its mouth. I found a pile of feathers at the back of the house, but no Louise.

She returned to the coop in the evening, as chickens will do.

Louise returned without tail feathers.

How did this feisty hen managed to outrun the wiley coyote? She followed the advice of track coaches everywhere: “Don’t look back.”

Each time a runner turns her head to see where the competition is, she slows her pace. Louise just kept looking and running forward for a way of escape.

For our family, and maybe yours, the year 2022 was a “terrible, horrible, no-good, bad” year.

The coyote was behind us.

Even though 2023 has just begun, it’s easy to look over our shoulder to see what happened in the past and not move forward. We can get stuck watching for another attack.

But like Louise, we mustn’t look back at the pursuing enemy.

I’ve adopted the words “Don’t. Look. Back.” as my theme this year. I’ve made it my goal not to relive the terrible,the horrible, the no-good, the bad. 

God has given us three ways to look forward.

1. Put our hand to the plow.

When 2022 began, we had no idea it would be a forgettable year. I don’t know about 2023.

Jesus tells us we're to plow forward without looking back (Luke 9:62).

There it is in God’s word—Don’t. Look. Back.

2. Look to Jesus.

No matter the circumstances, our focal point is Jesus. Why? He is the founder and perfector of our faith; he gives us joy (Hebrews 12:2).

As we look to Jesus, as the old hymn says, “things of earth grow strangely dim.”

3. Understand God’s plan.

No matter what has happened in the past, God has established plans for our good to give us a future with hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

We can look forward with our eye on Jesus—to God’s good even in the “terrible, horrible, no-good, bad” circumstances.

Oh, how is Louise doing?

Her tail feathers have grown back, and she still leaves the safe enclosure of the yard now and then. Sadly, her friend Thelma didn’t return from one of her trips to the “wild.”

I think Louise learned a lesson from the coyote encounter.

I also learned from my encounter with the “coyote” year.

God is our safe enclosure—if we only look to Him.

Did you have a “terrible, horrible, no-good, bad” experience? How has looking to Jesus without looking back carried you through?

Susan K. Stewart is Managing Editor with Elk Lake Publishing. When she’s not tending chickens, peacocks, and donkeys, Susan teaches, writes, and edits non-fiction. Her passion is to inspire readers with practical, real-world solutions. Her books include Science in the Kitchen, Preschool: At What Cost?, Harried Homeschoolers Handbook, and the award-winning Formatting e-Books for Writers. Susan's latest book, Donkey Devos: Listening When God Speaks, is a devotional based on life with her donkeys. You can learn more about Susan at her website www.susankstewart.com.

A Fresh Take on Familiar Scripture

In this Biblical Thinking UPGRADE, Dawn Wilson shares a favorite scripture passage with a fresh "take" on the verses.

Have you ever become so accustomed to a Bible verse that you no longer appreciate it's impact?

Long-time Christians are familiar with Proverbs 3:5-6. We see it emblazoned on t-shirts and painted on wall art. We're so used to seeing those verses, we don’t really take time to reflect on their richness.

My dad wrote those verses in the front of my Bible when I went off to college. It was the only time I remember him sharing any scripture with me. When I joined a revival team two years later and became more aware of deeper spiritual truth, I added verses 7-8 to my understanding.

That passage remains with me after more than forty years, giving me direction and hope.

In these days when I’m dealing with a cancer diagnosis, I've returned for a "fresh take" on Proverbs 3:5-8. Here's what the Lord is teaching me.

1. My Sovereign God Is Trustworthy.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart….” (verse 5a, NKJV).

Who is this One we’re to trust? He is the sovereign God who sees, knows and delights in us. He is faithful, trustworthy.

We can trust His love, wisdom, presence, power, provision and so much more—with all our heart. We’re not to be double-minded and unstable; we’re to rely confidently on the Lord.

Circumstances may cause us to struggle, but we’re not to live by our emotions. We’re to trust our faithful God and hold fast to His faithful Word (2 Timothy 2:13).  

2. My Understanding Is Limited.

“And lean not on your own understanding” (verse 5b).

Humans have limited understanding, limited discernment. It’s not wise to depend on our own understanding or try to figure out everything on our own. In other words, don’t put your stock in your own understanding, insight, judgment, or strategies. Why?

God’s thoughts ways are higher and better—beyond us (Isaiah 55:8-9). There are things we may not know about our situation or why we suffer. That’s why we’re to seek the wisdom from above and the mind of Christ.

If we want a reputation for good judgment and common sense, we’ll want to saturate our mind and heart with scripture (Proverbs 4:5-15; Colossians 3:16; Philippians 4:8-9). We’ll store up His Word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11; Joshua 1:8) and walk in the Spirit, obedient to the Word (Galatians 5:16).

3. God’s Plan Is Always Best.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him…” (verse 6a).

Acknowledging God means submitting to Him. We know, recognize and then submit to God and His will. We listen for God’s voice and seek His will so we can submit to it.

Acknowledging Him also means we give Him the credit for everything we accomplish. We adore Him, lift Him up and magnify His name (Psalm 34:3). We make Him “bigger” in others’ lives through our testimony.

In everything, every day, we look for ways to acknowledge His work in our life. Our hope in God grows, and we praise Him more and more.

In acknowledging God knows best, we can be at peace.

We stop trying to control everything, knowing God’s counsel and plan are firm and for our good (Psalm 33:11).

4. God Can Keep Me on Track.

“And He shall direct your paths” (verse 6b).

In love, God wants to direct our path (Psalm 32:8). He wants to keep us on track. But we must pay attention to and submit to His will if we want His guidance (Proverbs 1:5).

God desires to make our way straight and smooth, establishing our steps (Proverbs 16:9), giving us light (Psalm 119:105), and keeping us from falling into destruction. Sometimes He removes obstacles that block our way (Psalm 37:23-24)—He can clear the road so we can faithfully follow Him. He will show us what path to take, and enable us to make wise, godly choices.

We experience God’s guidance as we pursue Him in His Word, but also as we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:13). We pray for God to teach us (Psalm 25:4-5). We learn to wait on His timing and are ready to take action at His command.

Our path might look different from others’ paths.

God knows the best path for us to please Him (and not be people-pleasers) so we can grow spiritually and love and serve others. As we put Him first, He will crown our efforts with success. He will reward faithfulness.

5. Human Wisdom Can Lead to Pride.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes” (verse 7a).

Pride stands in opposition to humility (Psalm 138:6; Matthew 23:12). Pride says (or acts like), “I know better than God.” The proud, conceited heart is impressed with its own knowledge and insights.

We can’t assume we know it all. As fallen, sinful creatures—with hearts deceived by sin (Jeremiah 17:9)—it’s foolish to think we can decide on our own what is right and what is wrong. (That’s why our culture is in trouble!)

As Christians, we must never operate independently of our Creator God or His Word.

God guides and instructs the humble and obedient (Psalm 25:9-10; 32:8). To be wise, become a life-long learner of the sure and reliable Word of God, not of the failing philosophies of the world. Ask God for His wisdom (James 1:5-8).

6. I Must Fear God and Turn from Evil.

“Fear the LORD and depart from evil” (verse 7b).

Wisdom comes from God, and the beginning of our wisdom is to fear the Lord (Proverbs 2:6; 9:10). Fearing the Lord involves living in reverent awe of Him and obeying Him.

As we fear God, we will begin to know His heart. We will love what He loves and hate what He hates. We will learn to shun evil and turn toward righteousness.

In other words, let’s run to God and run from evil!

7. Strength Comes When I Trust and Obey.

“It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones” (verse 8).

This has become the most exciting “fresh take” in my recent experience.

I cannot do much to change my medical prognosis except to follow the doctor’s orders, but I can do much to allow the Lord to change my heart as I trust Him and obey His direction.

Another translation of verse 8 says a healthy fear of the Lord will bring “health” to my body and “nourishment” to my bones.

This renewed health and vitality in my inner self will come when I am free from the strain of a sinful life.

I will feel stronger at my core as the Lord adds sweet blessing and refreshment to my life (Isaiah 40:31; 2 Corinthians 4:16).

There are many rich truths in this short section of scripture that can guide the Christian's life.

In summary:

• My sovereign God is trustworthy—I can confidently trust Him.
• My understanding is limited—I must seek wisdom from above.
• God’s plan is always best—I can safely surrender to His will.
• God can keep me on track—He’ll enable me to make wise choices.
• Human wisdom can lead to pride—Humility will help me depend on God’s wisdom.
• I must fear God and turn from evil—God wants to shows me His heart.
• Strength comes when I trust and obey—God can renew my health and vitality.

Can you see how these verses might apply in your own life circumstances? Where might you need a change of perspective?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for Revive Our Hearts, and a writer at Christianity.com (wiki posts) and Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in Southern California and have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Bessi at Pixabay.

Make Your Life Count: Dream God's Dreams!

Poppy Smith urges women to "go for it" when it comes to dreams, but she encourages them to seek out God's dreams for their lives first. In this Spiritual Life UPGRADE, she offers five action steps to help us create a life that counts for the Lord.

"You have one life," Poppy says. "Make it count by following God's dreams, desires and direction for you!"

This may be a new concept to many, and it took me (Dawn) many years to understand God wants to give me the desires of my heart, but He wants to fill my heart with a desire to please Him first! (Psalm 37:4).

Poppy continues . . .

I didn’t grow up with dreams. My English parents were content with their lives and never urged my two sisters or me to aim high.

The only aim we had was to find good-looking, kind husbands who had decent incomes.  And, of course, to each have several pink-cheeked English babies.

After becoming a Christian, however, I discovered something that radically changed me.

As I grew in my knowledge of the Word I discovered that God had purposes for my life—and the lives of all who follow Him. He had plans for who I was to become, and what I was to do.

To my amazement, I found that how I lived and how I used my time and talents was NOT up to me!

Ephesians 2:10 taught me: “We are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God had prepared in advance for us to do.” 

I had no idea.

Philippians 2:13 showed me: “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” 

Now I saw where my longings and dreams of serving Him came from. He was behind those tugs and urges to speak, write, encourage, listen and love.

Our culture urges women to dream big. Aim high. Push forward at any cost. Achieve all you can.

But, unless those dreams, desires, and direction are of God, they can amount to a wasted life.

What are God’s dreams, desires, and direction for you? 

Here are five actions to guide you in creating a life that counts for Him.

1. Value your life as significant to God. 

It is a gift, a treasure, an opportunity to impact your world for Him. Are you investing it or wasting it?

2. Choose to walk worthy of your calling.

Pursue God, ask for insight: what does He want to touch in your life?

3. Ask God what dream He has for you.

Is it an old dream, or a new one? What is holding you back from saying YES?

Refuse to be scared—don’t cower in fear and miss God’s power in your life. Choose to put your faith in God and move forward.

4. Trace God’s direction of your life.

Remember how He has worked in you, shaping your personality, experiences, capabilities and longings.

Whatever your age or season of life, allow Him to stretch and use you in new ways today, and tomorrow. 

5. Fill your heart and mind with Him.

Seek His face. Delight in His Word. Meditate on it, be nourished by it.

Let the Word and the Spirit touch and transform your heart and your dreams.

Another year is almost gone. As you think about next year, what dreams, desires, or Spirit-given nudges do you sense in your soul?  Don’t IGNORE them—EXPLORE them! Say YES to His will and His ways, pray for direction, and Go For It!

Poppy Smith is British, married to an American, and has lived in many countries. A former Bible Study Fellowship teaching leader with a Masters in Spiritual Formation, she is a multi-published author. Her most recent release, Go For It! Make Your Life Count for God, uses Scripture, personal stories and insightful questions, motivating readers to find God’s purpose for their lives. Poppy speaks widely, challenging audiences to make their lives count by deepening their delight in God. Learn more about her and her ministry at her website and blog.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Dollarphotoclub / Graphicstock.com.