Recently, reading through my One Year Bible, a phrase
in Micah 6:5 jumped out at me:
“Remember
your journey.”
How
was your “journey” in 2019? Over the past few years? Has your journey
been filled with potholes or high hills or floods that have washed out your
way? Or has your journey given you exciting “adventures” - maybe some even
unexpected? Any hiker will tell you that is how any journey will be until the
“finish line” is reached...both joys and difficulties.
“Remember
your journey...the benefits:”
When you walk for exercise, you know that
just walking on straight, flat, smooth paths is good, but the challenge and
eventually increased strength comes from climbing those hills and walking on
rough surfaces. Those produce endurance and strength.
Romans 5: 3-5 - “...We also glory in our
sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;
and character, hope. And hope does not put us to
shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the
Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Use those “rough paths” or
“beautiful vistas” from 2019 to produce new love for the Lord and stronger
character traits.
“Remember
your journey...the preparation:”
A fundamental part
of a journey is preparing for it. Since life’s journey is continually changing,
we have to have a guide...a map...a GPS. You probably learned Psalm 119:105 as a child.
God’s Word is a “light to our feet” when we are walking on dark and difficult
paths. On your 2019 journey, did you find strength and direction
through God’s Word? It is never too late
to start your preparation for your journey into next year...read God’s Word
daily!
“Remember
your journey...the encouragement:”
Sometimes those memories of the journey in
2019 are very happy, joyful, unexpected pleasures. We say with the Psalmist in
136: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good...” If we think about the whole year, I am sure God
has brought people into our lives in 2019 who have “sharpened” us. Proverbs 27:17: “As
iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Do you need to say thank you to someone who
helped you in 2019? Someone who “sharpened” you?
“Remember your journey” is in Micah 6:5. Then in verse 8, the Lord reminds us how
to carry on our upcoming journey... “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And
what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and
to walk humbly with your God.” Those are powerful verbs of action. Wow!
What a difference we can make in 2020 taking these truths to heart. God bless you!!
--Maylou Holladay
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