Crashing waves can be exciting, unless those waves are big enough to do some major damage. It would be terrifying to face down a gigantic wave. When Moses touched the Red Sea and the waters parted on either side, it must have been a very exciting, yet frightening experience. Yet, no matter how they felt, the Israelites walked through on dry land, on their way to a new life. They ended one chapter in their lives and began a new one. They gave up everything they knew to face the unknown.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left (Exodus 14:21–22 NIV).
When we give our lives to Christ, we are parting ways with our old selves. Once we are saved, the waters crash down behind us, blocking our way back to that old life. There are times when we may try to swim back, but God’s waves will always throw us back on track. Still, there are times fear can keep us from wanting to venture forward, and we need to give that fear to God. Once we put our trust in Him for our future, we will have the courage to face the unknown, just like the Israelites.
Even though God provided for their every need, the Israelites felt like they were missing something. They constantly tried to “swim back” and eventually missed out on a blessing. They had forgotten all that they went through in the past and how God rescued them. That is why it is so important to always look forward and to not look to the past. Giving your life over to Christ means leaving your past behind and moving forward.
The LORD’s anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the desert forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone (Numbers 32:13 NIV).
Once we have accepted Christ as our personal Savior, He will never lose us no matter how many times we try to go back to where we came from. He knows how weak we are and how we get frightened by the smallest problems.
So, my advice to you is that once you cross over, don’t look back. Part ways with your old self and embrace a future with our Lord. A future that promises great blessings.
Debbie Mitchell