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Have you ever wanted to get away? Have a fresh start? You’re certainly not alone.
Negative experiences and trauma are unfortunate realities of the broken world in which we live. Sometimes we just want to run and get away from it all. And we’ll go to big lengths to make it happen. We may do this by intentionally avoiding someone who has hurt us or someone we’ve hurt. Trying out a new job. Some may even move to another community in order to have a fresh start.
But unfortunately, running away from past hurts or mistakes isn’t helpful or healthy. Running away simply doesn’t work.
There’s a similar theme woven throughout a number of stories in the Old Testament. Somebody is clearly running away from their past when a wise person challenges them with two questions: Where have you come from? Where you are going?
These questions may seem simple, but there’s tremendous wisdom in them. They provide opportunities to confront the traumatic experiences of the past. They provide opportunities to heal. They provide opportunities to grow.
READING & JOURNALING:
Where have you come from? What negative or traumatic experiences have led you to want to have a fresh start?
Is there anything you’re still running from today?
Extra: During Sunday’s message, Pastor Justin mentioned this scene from The Chosen, which is a creative telling of the story that occurs in John 4. Feel free to watch it by clicking here.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I confess that I don’t like to think about some aspects of my past. There’s a fear that the pain of some events may overwhelm me, and my life already feels overwhelming. But I’m beginning to see that ignoring these events isn’t helping. So today I pray that you will help me to see these events through fresh eyes. I also pray that I will regularly remember that You have overcome the world, and I can rest in You in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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