Unpacking to Move – Read Heb. 12:1
Several years ago, we seized an opportunity to build a new home. In preparation for this significant undertaking, we put our residence on the market and quickly found ourselves in escrow to sell our home. Over the ten years that we had lived in that house, we were blessed to fill each room with precious treasures. Despite our daily commitment to organization and cleanliness, as well as an exhausting clearing overhaul performed some months prior, my husband and I agreed that there was still quite a bit that we would have to pack for our impending move. So, while the prospect of building our dream home was exhilarating, the thought of trying to pack up ten years of memories and thirteen rooms of material was mind-boggling. But we recognized that there was no other way. If we were going to move from one house to another, we had to pack.
Now you may be wondering why I titled this Unpacking to Move. After all, everyone knows that the requisite effort for any move is to pack, not unpack! If this were solely about moving from one place of residence to another, I would agree with you wholeheartedly. However, the move God seeks to accomplish in most of our lives is not from house to house but from one place in life to another. For that kind of move, it is essential that we first do some unpacking. There must be a putting aside of the weight and sin that encumbers us before we can run our race with patience.
Paul spoke of his dedication to reaching for a preferred future in his letter to the Philippian church. “No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven” (Phil 3:12-14, NLT). Paul recognized that his concentration necessitated a forgetting of the past—an unpacking, if you will. To effectively reach forward, there has to be a letting go of what was behind.
Too often, we try to reach for the new that God is bringing to us while holding doggedly to the past we have experienced. But trying to look in both directions simultaneously always results in stagnation. We must be willing to let go of the past, those things that are both good and bad, so we can focus our energy on obtaining what is ahead. God does not call us to forget our history; that would be a tragic mistake. He does, however, require that we trust Him for our future and not live bound to what we used to be. We must unpack past failures, prior successes, and previous dress sizes. What was—well, it was! It’s time to empty the old so that we can freely move to the new opportunities of faith presented to us.
Don’t be afraid. A good cleaning and reorganization of the heart can be immensely beneficial. You may even find that you have accumulated far more than you need and that discarding those old issues will truly lighten your load. The result will be weightlessness that enables you to take flight and be all God intended and more than you ever dreamed. Go on, start unpacking. It’s time to move!
Copyright © 2021, D’Ann V. Johnson
Unpacking to Move… I love it!! My season Dr D’Ann ????. Preparing for the future is a must. This mind set has always worked for me. Thank you for the transparency both you and Pastor Bill continue to show and do.
Such a timely word as I reflect on a phenomenal 2021 and “unpack those successes” to posture myself for what God has in store for my future. Thanks for pouring out!
Love this!!
So good and much needed. It reminds me of simply removing the clutter.
In this season of my life its about transformation for me not because it’s a new year but necessary, that’s what came to mind as I read this…what stood out the most was the paragraph second to last, ( that I turned into a prayer,)”looking in both directions results in stagnation” “trust God for our future & not be bound to what we used to be good/bad”
Timely word thanks for sharing…
What a great reminder of how important it is to resist stagnation and move forward in every new opportunity God desires to present to us.
Thanks, Dr. D ‘ !!!
“Trying to look in both directions simultaneously always results in stagnation.” So true… good and timely word! ❤
Awesome analogy. I can identify with the packing to move and throwing out stuff when there’s still stuff left to get rid of. In the moving in God, like you said we need to leave it at the old place. What good will it do us to move to the new place God is placing us if the old baggage is still with us. Great Devotional. Keep them coming sis.
Amen! Even the old dress sizes! It that has to do with accepting what is and moving forward. Amen and God bless
The words was enlightening. I am in the season of life is to do what God has will for me. I am in a purpose season to the well of God and love others and also keep God first in Jesus name. AMEN t
Thank you for this timely word of instruction and encouragement. As we declutter our hearts and minds, moving forward becomes easier. We will be able to see, discern, navigate, and appreciate the now much better because we won’t be clouded by what used to be.
Wow this blog was right on time for me. As the new year is starting , I definitely have to let go of the baggage of 2021.
I only wish I could explain how much this word confirms what God has told me regarding 2022. So awesome of a Word!
So so true! I can accumulate and hold on to so much stuff, but I am ready to unpack in preparation for what God wants to bring and do. And btw Heb 12:1 is my favorite Bible verse.
Dr. D
Loved this devotional. Sometimes unbeknownst, I find that I do hold onto past experiences rather they be good, bad, or indifferent. Familiarity can be comforting only because I am familiar with that experience. I love that Paul is instructing me to forget the past and press, strain for what is ahead. There is a phrase that I love❤.
Yesterday Is History
Tomorrow Is Mystery
Today Is A Gift
That’s Why It’s Call The Present‼
CELEBRATE LIFE ❣
Thank you for all the insightful comments. They are a blessing to read. Like, share, and post the devotionals, and keep the conversation going. ❤️ #liveintheoverflow
Timely word for the new year
This speaks to me in that I must let go the past to make room for my future. I must declutter. Thank you for this.
This speaks to me in that I must let go of the past to make room for my future. I must declutter. Thank you for this.
Looking forward and keeping my eyes on the prize!