Move Forward...March, by Shelia E. Lipsey

I've remained in the same city, the same state, the same neighborhood for all of my 55 years of life. For those who are sensitive about sharing their age, I am not one of those. I am too grateful for the length of days that God continues to bestow upon me. But, back to the subject at hand; like I said, I've lived all of my life in one city.  I've seen very little of this vast world that God so perfectly created. 

I've visited a few places lately, something I've never done in the past. I had no idea God was setting me up for a major change in my life. Those visits to other states allowed me to see the majesty of God. I've seen mountains so huge, and so close that my mouth opened so wide and my eyes seemed like they would pop out of my head. Their beauty was so awesome that I couldn't help but stop, pause for a moment and give God thanks.  I've seen a snow capped mountain top and words still escape me whenever I recall the sight in my mind.  This brings me to write this week's message to share with each of you.  

One of my favorite pastors is Joel Osteen.  He always talks about living your best life now, pursuing your dreams, following your God given purpose, and many more topics that encourage and motivate me.  As the clock of time turns, I long to see more of what God is doing. I want to see beyond the horizons of where I've resided for the past fifty-five years. It is God who has placed within my spirit the seed of moving forward.  

Moving from a place of familiarity, from a place where I've built a home, where I have sons, family, grandchildren, friends and loved ones is going to be difficult.  Moving from what I know so well and contented to be, only now, at my age, with my physical problems, I am on a new journey in my life. I am actually moving from the comfort and security of what I call home to the unknown. This can be frightening and fearful.  Yet, I continue to pack, to clear things out, to make preparations for the state where I will soon call home.  

I hear the words Move Forward... March.  I can't stop now. I guess I can liken myself to Abraham when God told him to go.  Abraham had no idea where he was going, what he was going to encounter along the way, but God made good on His promise to Abraham.  I have some physical challenges which add to the apprehension I feel about moving from a home I've raised  my sons in, along with some of their friends. I'm leaving behind so much love, so many, many friends. I'm leaving home. Plus, I'm leaving knowing that I am physically challenged and that I depend on my family, friends and loved ones, especially my sons, to be by my side and aide in my care. Yet, God has orchestrated my relocation so perfectly that I will still be with loved ones. I will be with my sister, who is eager to have me live with her. That in and of itself is a blessing.  Do you know how it feels to be wanted, to have your arrival anticipated?  Do you know what it feels like to move forward because my best days are yet to come!  

I will miss my sons, my grandchildren, my sisters, my mother and all of my loved ones and friends.  I feel at times that I do not know what they are going to do without me to counsel them, to readily come to their aid in times of troubles or momentary hardships. I wonder if I am doing the right thing since my mother is well up in age and my grandchildren will be out of my grasp.  But no matter how I try to reason things out, no matter how worry and fear attack me, what boggles my mind is that I have not stopped making preparations for the move. I continue to move forward and march.

I don't know what you are facing in your life today. I don't know if you have suddenly found yourself laid off of a job where you've worked for years. It may be that you have lost your home due to foreclosure, or maybe you've had your car repossessed.  Maybe you find yourself struggling with other problems and situations of life.  Whatever it is, God can take our mess and turn it into our best.  You can move forward and march toward the new blessings God has in store for you.  He says that we cannot pour old wine into old wineskins.  They must be new wineskins.  We have to be willing to listen to and obey the voice of God. Sure, there may be times when a dose of fear and doubt try to block your pathway, like it does mine, but keep moving forward...march into the greatness God has for your life.  Expect good gifts from the father who gives good gifts.  Expect blessings from the Father who can open the windows of heaven and pour you out blessings that there will not be room enough to receive them!  

God is teaching me that just because I'm moving physically doesn't mean that He will forsake me or my loved ones. He reminds me that it hasn't been me who's been keeping them safe, protecting them, providing for them and guiding them: it's God who strategically places His host of angels 'round about me and my loved ones to keep charge over us by day and by night.  It's God who never sleeps or slumbers. It's God who intercedes on our behalf. It's God, not me.  And after I relocate, it will still be God who will travel with me and bless me and enlarge my territory.  I need not worry or fret about anything because God is and God will always be.  He is everywhere at the same time and nothing escapes His eyes.  

I encourage you to examine your life.  Don't focus on the negative but choose God and then you will come to understand that He truly is full of grace and mercy.  He has a grip on our lives and He will be with us wherever we are.  Move forward...march to the high calling of Jesus Christ.  He'll take you places that your mind can not begin to conceive. He'll show you things that you never thought were possible.  He will be with you each and every step of the way.  God will be a light unto your path and a lamp unto your feet. Move forward my friends....march!