Whether we are walking or driving through an intersection, it is vitally important that our eyes are focused on the lighted instructions. Perhaps the blinking hand is telling us it’s not safe to walk across the street, or a red light is signaling us to stop our vehicle. Whatever the sign, it’s important that we pay attention and obey. Our personal journey with Jesus is often the same way. He is constantly giving us signs and instructions of what our next step in this life on earth should be.

We have come to a red light at the Intersection, where we as a writing team, feel God has said it’s time to stop. Though this decision was not easy for me personally, I feel at peace about it, as God has directed my life to a different corner, maybe a different intersection, for this next season of life.

I can’t thank our faithful readers enough for walking with us on this journey for the last four years. We hope that you have enjoyed our themes and our posts as much as we have writing them. I’ve often thought as I sit to write a post that God knew I needed that topic or scripture more than I even realized. Where I often thought I was writing for “someone” out there who needed to hear certain words, it was really me who needed them. Thank you for your encouragement and comments on the weekly posts. They ministered to each of us in ways you may never know.

If I could think of one last thought to share with you, it is this, and sadly I can’t take credit for these words. I was sitting in church this weekend when our pastor said, “that God’s will (for our lives) is always right, but it may not always be easy.” I don’t know what the next season of life holds for you, but I encourage you to walk in obedience where the Lord directs you. Look for the green lights before you leap into a new adventure. Slow down when you are given a yellow light. And stop when God so gently gives you a red light.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1″

In Love and Prayers for each of You,

Krista

We all like familiarity. The familiar feeling of a comfortable pair of jeans; pulling into the driveway of our comfortable home after a long day; the familiar voices of our closest friends and family, but what happens when things aren’t familiar? What happens when our comfort level is kicked up a few notches?

I experienced this feeling of “discomfort” over the weekend. My husband’s company held a family picnic at a nearby park. I’ll admit it was not on my Top 10 List of events I wanted to participate in this weekend. If I had my choice I would much rather be with my peeps—my friends and family that are familiar to me. Then the thought crossed my mind: Who are my peeps anyway, and what makes me so comfortable with them?

I will admit that about 95% of my circle of friends are Christians. We share a common bond. Our conversations are safe. We share a mutual view on current issues. There is a depth-ness to our conversations because they center around our mighty God. I find myself socially confident in these circles, but put me with a group of corporate, possibly pretentious, strangers, and I feel like an outsider.

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5”

This scripture hit me as we were driving to the picnic. How often do “outsiders” visit church each weekend only to feel completely uncomfortable? Are they greeted with a smile and a handshake, or turned away because they feel they’ve walked in on a sacred party they know nothing about? Do they feel silly asking a question because everyone looks like they know exactly where to go and what to do? Hmmm. Definitely some food for thought.

As it turned out the picnic was great! I met several wonderful people who shook my hand with a smile. They welcomed me and made me feel, dare I say, comfortable? They weren’t pretentious, like I had conjured up in my mind. The afternoon was very enjoyable. And, to top it off, my sweet daughters won a cash prize for the three-legged race! Go figure.

I learned from a few simple, but profound words in scripture, that being wise and making the most of every opportunity can sometimes be as simple as being friendly and reaching out to others who I may so easily ignore and pass by on any given day.

This weekend our church held an event called, Community Impact Project. For the last few months we have watched videos in our services highlighting the types of projects that would be going on around the community this weekend. Many of the projects tugged at my heart, especially those involving single parents who needed help with general household projects—projects that I take for granted around my home because I have a “handy” husband who takes care of those details for our family.

My husband thought it would be a great idea, and a daddy-daughter opportunity, to sign up himself and our two daughters for one of the project teams. As our summer unfolded with vacations and houseguests, the day seemed to sneak up. On Wednesday evening this week we received a call from the church with the assignment. At first we were hesitant about it and thought to cancel. After all we had just arrived back in town and we were tired from vacation…(some excuse, right?).

We dismissed that thought and went on to the more pressing issue—the assignment. My perfectly capable husband and two young, beautiful daughters had been assigned to pick up trash along a busy intersection. (Really?) They wanted to help a family in need, not walk along a polluted intersection in the blazing sun picking up others’ litter. Or was it me that didn’t want my kiddos involved in such a task?

The next morning, conviction set in. And I mean Conviction with a capital C. I curled up in my comfy chair with a cup of hot coffee and read from Colossians—hoping to get a jump-start on writing the post for this week. Guess what it said?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24

I closed my Bible, not sure whether to laugh or cry. (I ended up doing both.) There it was in black and white print from the mouth of Paul. “Whatever you do, whether picking up trash at the corner of Lincoln and Jordan, or doing laundry, dishes, or other chores, work at it with ALL your heart as working for the Lord.” (Ouch!)

As I worked around the house on Saturday catching up on laundry and chores, I felt different. I kind of enjoyed it. My husband and girls came home exhausted from collecting nine bags of trash in a three-hour period, but they had smiles on their faces. And I’m pretty sure God was glorified in all of this because a lesson had been learned, and re-learned, by our family this weekend. Thank you Lord for the trash assignment as it will forever be a treasured reminder of Who we work for.

My oldest daughter hit double digits this March when she turned 10. Apparently a few years ago I had “promised” that when she turned 10 she could walk down to the neighborhood park without a grown up. What was I thinking? And how can she really be 10?

Shortly after school was out and the warmer weather made an appearance, she reminded me of this right of passage. Reluctantly I kept my word and this week she and her younger sister went to the park for a half hour by themselves. This new adventure came with instructions, however. Well, many instructions.

“Look both ways before you cross AT THE CROSSWALK.”
“Keep your eyes and ears open for strangers and strange activity.”
“Look at your watch, and allow plenty of time to get home before the half-hour is up.”

I even followed them out the door, and gave one more order, “And don’t forget to have fun!!!”

This scenario reminds me of some instructions that Paul gave to the new believers in Colosse.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15”

It makes me chuckle a little bit when I read the end of this passage. I can almost picture Paul writing this letter. His thoughts are racing faster than he can write. “And by the way, be thankful,” he manages to scribble across the page.

I don’t know about you, but I find that when my life is in a tizzy and peace is the furthest thing from my mind, so is thankfulness. I often find myself pleading with the Lord to restore peace in my life. I complain to Him about my anxious thoughts, but rarely in the midst of that do I think about what I’m thankful for.

Paul understood though. In the midst of house arrest, he was thankful. In the midst of dealing with quarreling church people, he was thankful. In the midst of broken relationships, he was thankful. Perhaps Paul figured out that peace and thankfulness go together. You can’t have one without the other. Just like you can’t go to the park with newly acquired freedom and independence and not have fun.

My children currently attend a school that requires them to wear uniforms. I have supported school uniforms for a long time, but lately I’ve become a little frustrated. For example, I found some beige pants (an approved school color) on sale and decided they would be perfect for my oldest. They were classy looking and could be worn outside of school if she wanted. What I failed to notice was two, small, metal embellishments next to the front belt loops. Sure enough, she received a dress code violation for wearing “clothes that were adorned.” Whatever!

Then I found navy blue sweaters on sale last summer (again, an approved school color). I purchased one for each daughter. My fourth grader was told immediately that her sweater was in violation of the dress code because it was “cable knit and not flat knit. “ Really? My second grader had quite the opposite experience with the exact same sweater. In fact she received compliments from her teacher. Frustrated, and now strapped for cash, I’ve been a little put off by the whole dress code thing this school year.

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:8-10

When I read this scripture I picture myself changing clothes. Taking off the old self and putting on the new self. But wait, what’s that? My new self is continually being renewed in the knowledge and image of my Creator? Wow, that sounds pretty gracious. It sounds like a process—one that my Creator will help me navigate.

Anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language and lying are not the best choices to adorn ourselves with, but sometimes this world isn’t fair, and we accidently put on those ugly traits. Thankfully we have a God who loves and forgives us through all our wardrobe changes. I believe that as we continue to seek Him and His ways, we will desire the pretty clothes.

As for the school’s dress code, I guess they are doing what they have to do in this day and age. Would a little more grace and less pickiness be nice sometimes? Oh yes!

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1:9

I had the opportunity late last fall to travel to Israel and tour the Holy Land. To this day, six months after, I still have so much to process of all I saw and was taught while on my tour. This Holy Week that is upon us has stirred up many emotions in me, as I not only reflect on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, but on my trip to Israel.

The last day of our tour ended at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. This is one of the only Christian sites in all of Israel. Up to that point in the tour I had immersed myself in studying all I could about Jewish Biblical history, and now I was visiting the one place that represented the entire Gospel message—the hope, salvation and promise of Jesus. But it was also the one belief that separated me from the majority of Jews (past and present) in Israel.

I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes through the entire tour of the Garden Tomb. I could not grasp how this was the major issue that separated me from all the amazing Jewish people I had met and observed while in the Land. I had marveled at the Orthodox Jews and their devotion to their faith. How they wore black from head to toe in the heat of the day. How they didn’t cut their hair or beards according to Jewish law. How they wore phylacteries from the sleeves of their garments to remember the laws. I was convicted when they knew more about the New Testament of the Bible than I did.

But that was it. They knew it, but didn’t believe it. They had all the answers, the truth, right in front of them, and yet didn’t believe, and were unable to grasp the freedom that is in Christ. It grieved me, and yet drove me to commit myself to prayer for this nation.

I have to believe that the Apostle Paul felt much the same way as he tried to bear witness of Christ to the Jewish people of that day.

“He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13b-14.”

What I believe Paul is saying to Jews, Gentiles, and us alike is that Jesus is the end of the law. It is His blood that was shed on the cross that has blotted out our sins and with it canceled the law that was so condemning. Jesus took all the condemnation that came from living under laws, rules and regulations and nailed it to the cross, so we could be free.

I want so much for you to experience freedom in Christ. Whatever is holding you back this Holy Week from embracing the freedom that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ, I want you to imagine nailing those things to the cross. And after you have nailed them to the cross, imagine yourself walking hand in hand with your Savior. You are smiling. You are rejoicing. You are free.

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.” Colossians 2:2-4

This week one of my heroes in the faith announced some pretty startling news. He made public claims that the idea of Hell exists only in the temporal; that it’s not an eternal destination. He questions in a new book he’s written how a “loving” God could send people to eternity in Hell. He makes vague statements that Jesus may not be the “only way” to salvation.

I was so disappointed to hear this once progressive, truth-telling leader’s new shift on Biblical principles. I’ve applauded his cutting-edge ways of asking the tough “faith” questions and spurring me on to find truth for myself. Now the headlines on major news media define this man as a “Controversial Pastor,” a pastor that speaks “Outright Blasphemy.”

It’s divine that our study in Colossians this week has brought us to the very point in scripture where Paul warns the early churches about false teachings that could deceive them from the truth. Sometimes lies can be wrapped in beautiful, bright, packages. Sometimes lies can be delivered by great communicators using fancy words that sound so good they must be true. All we have to do is go back to the first lie ever told—to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Fancy words and thought provoking questions from our great enemy disguised as a serpent, and what’s the result? Sin enters the world.

I’m greatly saddened when I look around and see the truth being watered down today. When I see Christian leaders buy into the lies of this world, and proclaim them as truth. What’s happening? Is the truth so hard to hear?

To me, it’s simple. The truth wrapped up in a beautiful gift to us:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

I am praying for this fallen hero of mine. I want him to know “that in Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” I want him to look upward, not inward for the Truth. I want for him and for others what Paul wanted for the early churches, “to be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Last year Chris Tomlin and some other artists wrote a song called, “All To Us.” Take some time to meditate on the words of the chorus.

“Let the glory of Your name be the passion of the church. Let the righteousness of God be a holy flame that burns. Let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives. We believe You’re all to us.”

**words and music by Christ Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Matt Redman and Matt Maher, 2010**

I’m sure at some point in our lives we’ve heard the phrase declared, “No IFS, ANDS or BUTS. If truth be told, we’ve probably said it a time or two. A few years ago I remember sternly asking my daughter to clean her room. Before she could even utter an excuse to put it off any longer, I declared that very phrase. A few minutes later she met me at the top of the stairs, in tears, telling me that I had hurt her feelings by calling her a “butt.” Trying to hold in my laughter, I told her we were talking about different “buts,” and that I would never call her a crude name. However, trying to explain that to a then five-year-old was a bit impossible. Today I want to draw you to a particular “if” in Colossians.

“Now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” Colossians 1:22-23 (NIV)

Throughout scripture we read of many great promises made by our God to us. In verse 22, Paul speaks of a beautiful promise of how one day we will be presented before God as holy and without blemish. I can only imagine and dream of what that will look like.

Followed by this particular promise is some great instruction that I think we should pay close attention to. This “if” does not lead into a statement about works, or how we earn this blemish-free soul. No, I see it as instruction for how to live until that day that we are presented before God.

God wants us to live a life that is established and grounded in our faith in Him. A life that is free from excuses and what ifs. A life that always looks heaven-ward. If we truly live for the hope of heaven that is told to us throughout the gospel, then I’m wondering if we can enjoy the freedom that comes from reconciliation right now on earth?

Cleaning up messes is never fun. My daughters will attest to that every time the request to clean their rooms is given. But I guarantee the freedom that comes from living in a clean room and in a reconciled relationship with their mom is priceless. Imagine how much more we will enjoy this earthly life by being established in our faith and holding to the hope of heaven.

Last weekend our whole family was involved in a science project for my fourth grader. You know how those school projects go. As parents we want our children to do well in school, but reading over the guidelines of the project, we know that they will need our “help” to carry out this monumental task. Right? Soon “help” turns into an “idea” and then “great ideas” come forth from our mouths, and soon what would have taken the student an hour, takes two grown ups and the student all day on Saturday.

The project: a three-D image of the calcium atom. In preparation for the project, our daughter Googled the number of protons, neutrons and electrons that make up the calcium atom. At times you could actually see the wheels spinning in my husband’s head. So many ideas, so little time. And the Periodic Table, that I never thought I would look at again, became our screen saver. Yes, it was quite a week working on this project.

As strange as it is to admit, this whole science project has left me pondering the nucleus of an atom. I’m a little scared. What is happening to me? I even ran across an article written by a Christian author that talked about how the nucleus of an atom is clustered (protons clustered together); however, how can protons be drawn together when they are positively charged? Don’t opposites attract? And how are electrons (negatively charged) not drawn to and collapsed in the nucleus? It’s a great mystery among scientists that leads to the question, “What holds the universe together?”

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17

Could it be as simple an explanation as that? If God let go for just a second, would this whole physical universe go up in a bang? If those protons could follow their natural way and repel each other, what would happen? And could it be that the Hands that hold this world hold you and me?

I am normally not a lofty thinker, and after delving into scientific research, I am convinced that I can’t scientifically answer the question, “What holds this universe together.” In fact, I really don’t want to. I’m fine living in my limited bubble of scientific knowledge. It is much easier for me to look to scripture and point to God. If anything, I take great comfort in knowing that God knows.

I am thankful for Paul’s teaching in Colossians. False teaching was creeping into Colosse and the people were denying the deity of Christ, but then Paul’s letter arrived and he explained the supremacy of our Lord. Who knew that what was God inspired thousands of years ago and penned through Paul, would impact a fourth grade science project in 2011? I love how our supreme God goes before all things, and in Him all things hold together—even a three-D model of a calcium atom.

Article referenced in post can be found at: **http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=1&contentID=7236&commInfo=25&topic=Colossians

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.” Colossians 1:9-12

That’s a pretty gigantic prayer Paul made on behalf of the Colossian people. “To live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way?” No pressure, right? I don’t know about you, but it sure would be easier if Paul said something like: “To live a life worthy of the Lord (the best you can) and please Him in (some way).”

This weekend my husband and I attended the funeral of our friend and chiropractor. He was diagnosed with a form of Melanoma cancer over a year ago and passed away January 7. Our family was patients of his for nearly six years. Over the years we had the opportunity to get to know Dr. Kurt and his wife Mary through our bi-weekly visits to their practice. He was one of the most caring and kind people I’ve had the privilege of knowing. And his faith in the Lord was truly what guided his life.

But what I discovered at his funeral service was that I barely knew this man at all. As friends and family shared, one after the other, I found out that Dr. Kurt was not only a wonderful husband and father, but a musician, a Bible study leader, a student of God’s Word, an honorably discharged Navy medic in the military. He was someone who prayed over his patients, and especially for those who weren’t believers yet. He treated many patients at little or no cost if they could not afford chiropractic care.

What I discovered was that Dr. Kurt knew what it meant to live a life worthy of the Lord and how to please Him in every way. There was evidence all over the chapel on Saturday of the “fruits” of his good work. His children and wife gave testimony to his strength, endurance and patience in his 56 short years of life on this earth.

I believe Dr. Kurt knew the secret to living this kind of life we are all called to live. He knew how to tap into and be strengthened by the power of God’s glorious might. Actually it’s no secret at all. It’s a nugget of truth woven through these passages. As his wife Mary stated, through tears and sobs, “You should see his Bible. It is well underlined because he studied and studied the Word.”

Dr. Kurt knew that the key to life was “growing in the knowledge of God.” The only way to know God is to be in a relationship with Him. And to know Him is to want to know Him more.

**“to know Him is to want to know Him more,” paraphrased from the Casting Crowns’ song, To Know You.

Let’s be honest, we’ve all encountered a time when we’ve gone to turn on some electronic device and it doesn’t work. We try and try again, but to no avail. After some investigating, we realize “it” wasn’t plugged in in the first place, and kick ourselves for the lapse of foolishness.

I am reminded of a similar situation that unfolds in the book of Colossians. At first glance of this book, it appears the Colossian people are not plugged into Christ. In fact it looks as though they have made some unhealthy connections all together. The truth is that false teaching had infiltrated this early century church, and as a result many of the Colossian people had combined other thoughts, philosophies and religious ideas with Christian truth. As you can imagine, the result was not good.

Thankfully the Colossians’ mistakes don’t get the best of them and through the Apostle Paul’s letter to this church, these critical issues are addressed.

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ who is the head over every power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10

On behalf of the Intersection team, I invite you to join us as we journey through and begin unlocking the teachings of the book of Colossians during the first half of this New Year. It is my prayer as you read Colossians and follow the Intersection postings, that you will gain a fresh understanding that in Christ we have everything we need. He is our ultimate Power Source, and it’s time to plug in.

Last week was my birthday. If you have any type of celebration that occurs in December, you know that we are the blessed ones. At least that’s what I tell myself. Who else has the privilege of competing with a big holiday like Christmas? Who else is handed a nicely wrapped package (in Christmas wrap) and told, “Now this gift is for your birthday and Christmas.” I hardly doubt those with June birthdays hear that.

I will admit that has happened a time or two to me, but for the most part I have wonderful friends and family who make the two celebrations very distinct. Among the very nice birthday gifts I received last week, there is one that stands out in my mind. A girlfriend of mine gave me a very nice ice bucket. You might be thinking practicality. My seven-year-old daughter certainly thought that. She looked at it and said, “Oh good Mom, now we have something to take with us when we stay at hotels.”

All joking aside though, I LOVE my new ice bucket! It’s something I have needed for a long time. If you have ever been to my house for dinner, you know this, as I have to send my guests to the freezer to get their own ice. Not quite my idea of being a good hostess. It just so happens that my girlfriend picked up on the “ice situation” when she visited, and made note of it. We had a good laugh when I opened the gift. But I know whenever I serve ice in my new ice bucket, I will be reminded of her and her beautiful friendship.

We are almost to the end of our study on Philippians. As Paul winds down his letter to the church in Philippi he discusses this very topic of gifts in regards to the financial support of his ministry.

“Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Philippians 4:14-16”

Do you see how Paul’s focus is on the giving and receiving, not on the specific need or the specific gift? Think about that. All we know is that Paul was in need and this church provided for him. In our consumer-minded society how often do we focus on the gift? Or the amount someone spent? Whether it was on our wish list? Or do we immediately look for a gift receipt to exchange it?

We have all received unique gifts. They trigger a memory and bring a smile to our face, but most of all they remind us of the one who gave the gift. Whether it’s a piece of jewelry, a spray of perfume, or a much needed item for entertaining guests; gifts are all about the relationship between the giver and the receiver.

“They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. Philippians 4:18b”

Merry Christmas to all our readers! We are truly honored to write for you each week!

In Love and Prayers,

Krista, Michele and Stacy

This past week I had the opportunity to speak at our women’s Bible study at church. This was something new for me, and honestly I was quite nervous. Not so much about the speaking, but writing a lesson from scratch and teaching from God’s Word on a certain subject. It terrified me. I didn’t want to mess up by misinterpreting scripture, or saying something that might cause someone to become offended and angry with me.

The night before the morning I was to speak, I felt God speak to me and I actually giggled out loud. I felt Him say, “Silly Girl, just read the words. Nothing needs to be changed, deleted or added. Just read the Words.”

Sometimes when I write posts for the Intersection I feel the need to be clever and creative in my writing to get a certain point across. Often times it works, but sometimes, like now, there is no interpretation or explanation needed. The written Word of God speaks for itself.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

It was an event I will never forget. A significant day in the life of our family. It wasn’t a marriage, an anniversary, or a birth, but something significant none-the-less. It was February 4, 2009, the day my Jamaican husband became an American citizen.

There were over 100 immigrants representing some 40 countries all gathered at an auditorium in downtown Denver to be sworn in as American citizens. As the words to Lee Greenwood’s song, “Proud to be and American,” echoed through the auditorium tears streamed down many faces. With a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in the minds of these new citizens.

Were they hopeful? After all they were now citizens in the “land of opportunity.” Were they sad? Most of them were surrendering their citizenship to their home countries to become Americans. Were they relieved? The process for American citizenship is not easy by any means.

I love how Paul explains citizenship in Philippians 3, although the citizenship he is referring to is that of heaven.

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21”

The citizenship process for Matthew began several years ago when he arrived in the States as a student. Once we were married the student visa he held was no longer valid and he had to apply for a green card. Several months and several hundred dollars later he had his green card. Then he had to wait another few years and a few hundred dollars later to apply for citizenship. It was a long, expensive process to say the least. On many occasions Matthew felt used and abused by the “system.” The rules and regulations seemed ridiculous, and we questioned if the process was worth it.

In the end it was worth it, and I live with a husband who’s proud to be an American, but what a contrast to read about citizenship in heaven. There are no forms to complete, no fees to pay, no waiting months on end for a letter in the mail that says we can go on to the next step of salvation. No, it’s a simple process with a huge reward. It’s a three-letter word—Yes—that states we are one with Christ. It’s freedom because we know that our future is secure with Christ in Heaven. It’s a privilege as we now eagerly wait for the returning of our Savior who will transform our lives to live in glory forever.

So my question is this: Why do so many migrate to other countries year after year and endure the expensive and difficult process of becoming a citizen to that country, but when offered the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus and citizenship in Heaven, many more turn their back and walk away?

The past is in the past. I’ve often struggled with this line of thinking because, personally, I struggle with letting things go. So the passage of scripture that we are looking at this week stumps me. Paul writes the following:

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…. Philippians 3:13”

I believe two things happen when we look back (in the past), we either marvel at our accomplishments, or we dwell on the mistakes. Neither is good because the result is often that we become stuck in the past. We fear moving forward because of the mistakes we’ve made in the past, or we fear moving forward because we might not achieve the success we did in the past.

After reading some commentaries on this subject and meditating on these scriptures I believe what Paul is saying is that we are not to focus so much on the past that we miss what God has in store for the future. It’s important to remember and reflect—especially on the great mercy and grace God has shown to us. But the key is to not become so focused on the past that we get stuck there.

Here’s a silly illustration. Picture in your mind that you are driving your car. You are driving down the street in your town going 40ish miles per hour, but instead of looking out the window ahead of you, you are looking in the rearview mirror for the whole drive? Yikes! Remind me not to drive when you are on the road….. Seriously, would any mature driver do such a thing? No way! We would miss what was going on ahead of us. And missing what’s happening ahead could be disastrous.

Friends, I believe Paul has some very important advice in this scripture. He does not want us to be so self-focused that we miss what God is doing around us. Isn’t that what being stuck in the past is really about—selfishness? When our focus is on ourselves it is off of God. Moving forward means focusing on God and trusting that He holds our future.

I find great comfort in knowing and claiming that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).” He is the God that reached into my past and gently moved me into the present. And He is the same God that will walk with me into the future and show me the way.

It’s time to live unstuck.