“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.” Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Forward Thinkers we opened this series looking at the early life of Moses including his call and struggles. Yes, there are struggles on every journey. As a matter of fact, Forward Thinkers, God often uses struggles to make us stronger. A great way to determine if the struggle is of the Lord (Job) or the devil is, if you learn from it, the Lord sent it; but if you get stuck in it, the devil sent it (Jonah).
Last week we left the story of Moses and looked at the journey of Esther, a true “started at the bottom, now I’m at the top” story. Esther was born on purpose with a purpose and her story should encourage us all to seek God for our God-given purpose and assignment.
Forward Thinkers I intentionally interrupted the story of Moses to show you there will be times in your life when the spotlight may not be on you but God is always working on you. Forward Thinkers some of God’s best work in you will be done off stage.
Forward Thinkers let me remind you God said all things work together for the good so no matter what chapter or stage you are on in your journey keep the faith and know you were born to do this. The ups, the downs, and all the twist and turns of life can’t cancel your purpose.
Forward Thinkers there are no on/off switches to a purpose driven life so embrace your journey and God will give you the strength to press forward through it all.
Exodus 3:16-17 New International Version (NIV)
16 “Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’
Forward Thinkers life is often described as a journey but you must understand your journey will not be an ordinary journey. God has a plan for your life that fits only your spiritual DNA.
Forward Thinkers your life journey will not be normal so quit trying to fit in the normal zone.
Forward Thinkers your life journey will be uniquely tailored made for you so quit trying to be like someone else.
Forward Thinkers your life journey will be directed by the Lord so quit trying to lean on your own understanding.
Forward Thinkers did you notice in verse 17 that God made a promise to bring us out? So keep grinding and remember God is more than just a promise giver God is the promise keeper. Forward Thinkers you can make it because God promised you could.
Let’s jump 10 chapters ahead into chapter 13.
Exodus 13:17 New International Version (NIV)
17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”
Forward Thinkers the Lord didn’t lead them on the short route because there were lessons to be learned on the long way around. Forward Thinkers God loves us so much He uses every life experience to teach us His ways and His plans for our lives.
Warning: stop focusing on other people’s journey and keep your eyes on the road to your own destiny. Forward Thinkers many wrecks take place by distracted drivers looking at someone else’s journey instead of the road ahead. Don’t get hit!
Exodus 14:15-16 New International Version (NIV)
15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
Forward Thinkers God gives Moses directions that we can use today when He tells Moses to quit all that crying and move on. One of the chapters in my upcoming book No More BS is a chapter entitled No More Being Stuck and that’s exactly what God is telling Moses don’t get stuck in your past but get up and move around. Better yet move forward, learn from it and use it to push you farther in life.
I dare you to praise God for the things that were designed by the enemy to destroy you but ended up strengthen you and working out for your good. Physical therapists will have you stretching to the point where it hurts but they encourage you to keep going because the pain is a sign of healing and growth in areas of weakness.
Moses always had the staff in his hand but nothing major happened until he was stretched out his comfort zone. God declared he would do more than we could think, ask, or imagine or today I challenge you to stretch your faith.
Stretch your thinking and start thinking bigger. I’m trusting God for something so big right now I expect many to doubt if it’s really possible. But, the reality is someone probably thought what we’re doing now was impossible. I love watching God prove the doubters wrong.
Stretch your asking. God said you have not because you ask not and God also told us to ask and it shall be given. Remember you will never ask God for more than your faith can expect so get in the word of God and increase your level of faith so your level of asking will increase. Stop asking God for things you should be able to do yourself.
Stretch your imagination. Many say there is nothing free in life but I want to remind you it cost nothing to imagine yourself living on purpose with purpose. Don’t decrease your imagination to fit your current reality but increase your current reality to match your imagination.
Moses had to see himself in the Promise Land where do you see yourself?
Exodus 17:5 New International Version (NIV)
5 The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.
Forward Thinkers this week’s final instructions to living life on purpose are found in Exodus 17:5.
First, God once again tells us to get from inside the crowd. We were not born to fit in but to stand out. Then, God says take some Elders because you will need wisdom and experience to get to a higher level in life. Finally, God says use the staff in your hand and strike the rock and watch it produce water.
Forward Thinkers, before now, no one has ever seen a rock produce water and there are some things you’ve never done before either that you will be able to do this season because you were born to do this even if this has never been done before.
Pastor E. A. Deckard is the Senior Pastor/Founder of the Green House International Church now located, in both Houston, Texas, and the Woodlands, Texas. To contact Pastor Deckard for speaking engagements contact him at pr.ghic@gmail.com, follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Periscope @ Pastor E A Deckard or the church website www.ghic.net