Ever since Man invented the wheel, we have been intent on creating better ways to move forward. We can now go faster, higher, and farther, all the way to Mars. As Bud Lightyear proclaimed, “TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!!”
Every reference to moving forward is with positive and motivating words: Catapulting forward, Blasting off, Chasing the goal, Leaping forward, Forging ahead, Leap of faith. Every reference to staying in place or going backwards is a bit depressing: Falling behind, Sitting still, Beaten down, Left back, Screeching to a halt, Staying behind.
I can think of only one positive thing about moving backwards. You are in familiar territory. Even if it’s uncomfortable, or actually a bit painful, you know what to expect. No surprises. Safe.
“But I don’t want to go backwards; I just want to stay where I am,” you might say. Well, you’re out of luck. Everyone else is moving forward, and the only place time moves is forward, so staying in place actually puts you behind, whether you want it or not.
When we’ve been hurt or suffered a big loss, it can feel impossible to move forward. Imagining what the future may hold, or who it doesn’t, seems too scary. We presume it’s empty, because it’s a blank slate, and we only trust what we can see. So, we can become proficient at making excuses to stay back. We don’t make reasons to move forward, because we would have to follow through. “What if I don’t like where I end up?” Nothing has the word forever if we don’t like our situation. Remember, time is still moving forward, with or without us; it’s easier to keep in step. The situation can change if we want it to.
Once we have stayed in place for too long, we can become complacent or discouraged, and staying back feels like our only feasible option. We then start to convince ourselves that it’s not worth the trouble, and then we truly believe that there’s nowhere to go. However, no one truly knows what’s ahead. We can set goals and put ourselves on a path, but we must always be ready for detours; every adventure is one surprise after another. That’s why adventure movies are so popular! Those surprises are what mold, redefine, and refine us.
If you are not happy with yourself and where you are, then examine and focus on the reasons to move forward, rather than using the time to make excuses to stay back. If you really want to change your life, complaining and doing nothing different will certainly provide nothing different! I know, I know, stepping forward can be unpredictable, there are no promises and the decision to move is yours alone. The only promises are the ones from God that He will be with you every step of the way. That’s the only promise you need.
So, is the lack of control the thing that’s holding you back from the future? Why would you spend a lifetime making excuses to stay in an unsatisfactory place when it only takes thirty seconds to take a few steps forward? If you never go forward you will find at the end of your life that your heart is filled with regrets instead of wonderful memories and experiences. And you won’t leave a legacy that will inspire anyone else to move forward.
Time always moves forward. All the excuses in the world will not make it stop. All we can and should do is not lose heart and
Dance on.
Grace Notes 