I scroll through social media and see a familiar face– he’s at a better place now, it seems. We’re both improving, as we live life separately. I am doing way better now. The heartbreak that I thought I wouldn’t survive, I’ve survived. I’ve gone through it– passed with flying colors. And I am proud of myself for it, while thankful to God that He revived every dead thing in me.

I scroll slowly, silently. This wasn’t just any other social media story. It was his– and he used to own a big part of me.

Two more seconds, Danielle. But, make it three and you might find yourself in the same position you were at the very onset of your healing journey. What a mess, I was. Three more seconds of lingering and you might find yourself a mess again, paralyzed, hung up on what could’ve been– had you not ended everything.

I stopped at two. I scrolled past the story. I found myself caring, but not in that way anymore. I stopped lingering. 

I now remember the very Words that have moved me– that have carried me along.

Isaiah 43:18 (ESV)

18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.”

It was around noon, around 4 years ago, when the Lord spoke to me these words. With my mind racing, rationalizing, thinking that maybe God meant something completely different, I didn’t want to lose a good thing.

But, God knew the difference between what was good and what is Godly.

Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)
19 “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Moving on is a theme across the Bible, seen in both the Old and New Testament.

It is read in Isaiah. It is read in Philippians. It is read even in Genesis. And so on.

In the story of Genesis 19, when God was set to rescue Lot and his family, He called them to leave Sodom and Gomorrah. God wanted to destroy the land for wickedness became too great in it.

Lot did the opposite of what I did– he lingered. Yet, we can see in verse 16 that God still extended His mercy to Lot.

Genesis 19:16 (ESV)

16 “But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.”

Sewing all these verses that have one central theme of moving on, what do I want to leave to you today?

1) God is being merciful to you; It’s time to move on

Maybe you have been in an abusive relationship, where all you do is hurt each other. Maybe you’ve had a job that’s draining the purpose and the life out of you. Maybe you’ve found yourself between a rock and a hard thing. God’s mercy extends to you. It’s time to move on and not look back.

2) God is doing a new thing. But, you must not linger on the old.

Isaiah 43:19 is preceded by Isaiah 43:18. For us to see that God is doing a new thing, we must shift our focus from the old to the new. What is the new thing that God has placed right in front of you? Sometimes, it’s all a matter of perception– of focus.

3) God is in the new thing; Know Him

Isaiah 43:19 speaks of God as being the Way Maker and Miracle Worker. God is in the new thing, as He has led you in the new thing.

4) There is a goal in moving on: The prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)

There is a reason why Jesus Christ, Himself, told His disciples to “shake the dust off your feet” or to simply move on in Matthew 10:14. This is in the context of moving on from people who reject the Gospel. 

If we linger on things God told us to move on from, we might miss what God has for us. 

Remember that God was, indeed, merciful to Lot when he lingered. But, He was also just to judge the idolatry that was within the heart of his wife; Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back and yearned for what was. Instead of being devoted to the saving hand of God, she loved what was. 

Let us not test God. He is merciful, but He is also just.

Reading across Scripture, it’s really interesting how a certain theme is pieced together. On the theme of moving on, we can still see God’s goodness and very nature.

The process of not looking back will not be easy. In fact, I will tell you now, straight. It is difficult. But, it does not mean that it is not the will of God for you. Go straight to God today. Inquire of Him and He will direct your steps.

I’ve been scrolling social media lately. And I still remember the remnants of yesterday. But, it did become easier. To choose God and what He has for me. To witness His hand, experience His glory, and know Him even more. 

Nothing can ever compare. No one could ever come close. God is still number one.

I’ve been scrolling social media lately. And I see Your hand. I now see You.