Montana Woods N Water July 2016 Print Edition | Page 15

SPORTSMAN’S MEDITATION

Are You Going Forward, Backward
or Just Sitting in Neutral?
By Pastor Jim Sinclair
We had just spent four incredible days on the Oregon coast with our family and all of our grandkids, we
played games and sat on the beach and had a stellar few days together.
On our way home we were to stop in Eugene, OR and rendezvous with a friend and drop off our granddaughter for a trip to Washington
D.C. All was going well, we stopped about two hours from Eugene for some lunch, having such a good time and we all jumped in the car
and headed toward Eugene. I’m not kidding, we were are about a mile from our exit and my lovely wife says these words, “Has anyone
seen my purse?” Need I say more, all of us had gotten up and walked right by it on our way out. We quickly called the restaurant and they
confirmed the mishap. So we made the drop and headed back to our previous lunch destination.
I learned a lot on that trip, the biggest thing was, I don’t like to go “BACKWARDS” I like to go “FORWARD” It reminded me of a time when
God’s people complained and always wanted to go “BACKWARDS”
Listen to them, Numbers 14: 1-4, 1 Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. 2 Their voices rose in a great
chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. "If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!" they complained. 3 "Why is the
Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn't it be better
for us to return to Egypt?" 4 Then they plotted among themselves, "Let's choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!"
God wanted his people in the “Promised Land” a land flowing with
milk and honey, and they were determined to go “BACKWARDS”. All
these people had to do was believe God and move FORWARD and
they could have the land they were given by God. Maybe we should
assess our life as well. Some of us are living in the land of…worries,
anxiety, depression, self-pity, brokenness, pride, selfishness, hatred,
lust and it is all about me (do what I wanna do in life) complacency.
Satisfaction, (meaning we are satisfied with where we are). I have
learned going backwards is a pain, maybe it’s time to make a move
FORWARD, and never go back to the things that defeat us.
P.S. Just make SURE you have your wife’s purse! Keep “livin the
GOOD Life. “ Pastor Jim.

***************
When you make a mistake and the devil comes and
tells you 'You're no good,' you don't have to take on
the guilt and condemnation he wants to put on you.
No! You can immediately confess your mistake to
God, thank Him for forgiving you and cleansing you
with the blood of Jesus, and move forward in the
victory of His grace and forgiveness.
Joyce Meyer
Even if you fall on your face, you're still moving
forward.
Victor Kiam
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