“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19
LOOK FORWARD (Seahorse) – Isaiah 43:18-19
So, on our trip to the beach, my niece Selah decided that my animal name would be “Seahorse.” I thought I would learn a little bit about these cute little creatures. One of the fascinating things I learned about seahorses is that they can look backward and forward at the same time. This is something we do as humans too.
Are you like a seahorse?
Not physically, but spiritually and emotionally, we sometimes look backwards and forwards at the same time. We have goals, dreams, callings from God in front of us that we want to accomplish, but we keep glancing back at the past. Getting distracted by mistakes, problems, and experiences that have already gone by so much that we do not move forward into the new thing that God has for us.
We would be wise to listen to the words of Isaiah 43:18-19:
”Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Good Plans
God has a new thing right in front of us! He has good plans for our future.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Let’s turn our eyes toward the new thing God has for us. One of the ways we can do this is to learn another lesson from the seahorse. Seahorses are not particularly strong swimmers. They prefer to swim in pairs with their tails linked.
Connection and Community
We need connection to other believers. People who can come along beside us and remind us to keep our eyes forward. Friends who will pick us up when we fall down. A support system to share our joys and sorrows.
Linking up with other believers in person at a local church or online can provide the connection we need to push forward into the new, exciting, good things God has planned for us.
Action Step:
Take a moment today to meditate on scriptures that remind us to keep our focus forward, like these:
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Romans 12:1-2
Call, text, or message a friend (or someone you would like to befriend) and make a plan to have coffee or tea or take a walk together. Make the first step towards connection that propels us forward.
Prayer:
Dear God, Thank you for your word that speaks to us. Thank you for how creation displays your truths. You will speak to us if we open our ears and hearts. Turn our focus toward the future you have planned for us. Reveal who the best “seahorse” for us to link up with will be. Give us courage to step out into the future you have for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Free Printables for LOOK FORWARD (Seahorse):
If you would like a free printable for the Bible Art Journaling above, there is one in the Free Resource Library.
If you do not have the password for the Free Resource Library, click here.