Breaking the Cycle

Several years ago, Kathy and I were driving through the town we lived in on our way to work.

There had been storms in the area and many roads were closed off because of high water levels.

As we continued down our familiar route to our jobs, road after road was blocked off with high water. On several occasions I had to reverse out of a street after we found out it was blocked off.

After about three times of turning down roads that were impassible, we approached another street. Without even looking, I turned our car down the next street, once again to find it was closed off with high water.

We had no more than turned the corner when Kathy asked me a simple yet profound question: "Don't you look before you turn?"

I guess the other turns onto blocked streets had led her to believe this may be a pattern that needed to be addressed. We both laughed. And still today we will ask that questions in jest when faced with a similar situation.

So many people today find themselves facing obstacles they did not expect. It seems like every turn they take leads them to yet another dead end. It is not their intention to end up in these places, it just seems like "that's the way it is" for them.

It's funny, but almost every time I come to a turn that I am not familiar with I hear those words ringing in my ears and think, "have you looked yet?"

It's a simple yet practical habit to form in our lives. Looking before we turn. Looking before we leap. Thinking before we speak. You get the idea.

So often, roadblocks and inconveniences, frustrations and delays could be avoided if we would just take the time to look before we turn. If we would take the time to consider, "is this the right choice?", "is this the right response?", "Is this the way I am supposed to go?"

I'm not talking about second-guessing ourselves as much as I am saying maybe we should "first think" ourselves. Doing that may eliminate some second guessing, and some backing up, in our lives.

Breaking away from those old habits of talking before you think, or going before you consider, may take some work, but in the end they may be exactly what we need to help us get where we are going much quicker and with much less frustration.

Come on, let's recognize the need for healthy choices in our lives, commit our ways to God and break the cycle! Success is just around the right corner!

DWELL

Where do you live? Where is your dwelling? Probably the first thing you think of when you read those questions is your physical address. City, State and Zip...right?

Certainly this is one aspect of dwelling, but when we look at dwelling from God's eyes, we see a much broader and richer perspective.

We read in Numbers that God instructed his people to "cross the Jordan and DWELL in the land" that He had given them. To be obedient to this command, they could not just pass through - they had to build homes, take up residence and stay in that place.

In our transient world today, very few people stay in one spot for very long. We are a moving, fast-paced world full of options and unlimited possibilities.

In our own lives, Kathy and I have moved nearly 8 times in our 18 years together. Three of those moves were relocations across several states. That's roughly once every two years. WOW! I'm tired just thinking about it.

But think about how comforting those words had to sound to those who had left Egypt. They had been wondering in the desert for 40 years, and now they were going to be able to stay in one place....forever.

Psalm 91:1 tells us that "He who dwells int he secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the almighty".

There is something about dwelling, living in one place that brings confidence and comfort. What better place than under God's providing power?

Where do you live your life? Are you under the shadow of the Almighty?

Some people lives their lives in chaos. Some live their lives in confusion and worry. Others live under the shadow of debt and financial crisis. Where do you live?

Does it feel like you have setup camp in the desert? If it does let me encourage you that this is not where God wants you to dwell!

The place he has for you is better than this, it is better than lack and conflict. it is better than depression and anxiety. It is a place of joy, abundance, generosity and love.

If you are not there yet - KEEP MOVING FORWARD! The place you desire is just ahead. And once you arrive - DWELL! Live there! Take up residence and let the world know - I AM NOT LEAVING THIS PLACE!!

Where do you live? Where is your dwelling? What are you dwelling on? Who are you dwelling with? Is that the life God has for you? The good life? The blessed life?

If it is then DWELL - live there! Otherwise - keep moving until you reach the land of promise in which God wants you to DWELL!