Today’s song is Moving Forward by Israel Houghton from the Power of One album. Have you ever been sick and tired of being sick and tired? Well, that was me when this song became my theme for a season. This song comforted me during a time when it looked like all of the relationships in my life took a nosedive, crashing to the earth and vaporizing my poor little heart. I was hurt, lonely, and despondent, but still trying to see and trust God through the darkness that was trying to consume me. It felt like I had lost–GAME OVER! My past was literally trying to choke the life out of me. I was being hurt by people that I loved and thought loved me back. Things I thought were over and done with had somehow managed to rear their ugly little heads, trying to weigh me down with mistakes from the past. It was as if I had a target on my chest and it was open season on my heart.

When I read back through my journals about this season in my life I often find myself both laughing and crying. Laughing because the enemy thought he had me but he didn’t. But at the same time, crying tears of deep gratitude because I know it was only the love and grace of God that got me through. It was His word to me that everything was going to be alright. This was not the END FOR ME nor the END OF ME. All I needed to do was to KEEP MOVING FORWARD. He was going to make all things new!

From the first line of that song…” What a moment you have brought me to. Such a freedom I have found in you. You’re the healer who makes all things new,” my heart just cleaved to those words. I wanted that moment. I wanted that freedom. But I had to be willing to let go of the past, let go of the hurt, let go of the familiar, to receive the love He had for me. Although, it wouldn’t be easy and at times unpleasant, He had me! He would never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6). He was not only the lover of my soul but He was the healer of my heart. (Psalm 34:18-19).

So with my tattered heart and crushed spirit, I decided I was going to keep on going. I had this image of myself trudging through a desert, tattered and disheveled, sweat burning my eyes, but being able to see just enough ahead of me through the sweat and tears to keep moving towards the light. I was going to keep believing and trusting that God would deliver me no matter what came my way. I was going to keep moving in the direction He was leading me even when I didn’t know the destination or the way ahead looked dim. I was going to follow Him forward.

I don’t know where you may find yourself in your journey as you read this but if your heart has been broken and you feel like all hope is lost or If you feel like you’ve messed up so badly that there’s no way you could ever recover. I want you to know that God will make ALL THINGS NEW in your life if you put your faith and trust in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). He will give you beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness(Isaiah 61:2-4). Allow His love to empower you during this time as you decree in your spirit that YOUR PAST IS OVER! YOU ARE MOVING FORWARD to receive the love, joy, and peace that God has waiting for you! Trust God to bring you to that MOMENT…And embrace the FREEDOM that awaits you in Christ.

Love you, Fam!

Until next time…Be Blessed & Go Forth in Faith…Smooches😘😘