Several years ago Jim and I owned a caravan at Pauanui Holiday Park. It was a permanent caravan that was ours that we could go over to anytime. But after owning it for a few years, the next season we were in dictated that we sell that caravan. We have gone back since and wandered through the campsite remembering our times there and all the good times it held, and at times wishing we still had that, but now in going there, we can barely recognise the place we had, because it too has changed so much and it is not how it was.
Recently Jim and I went down to Queenstown where our daughter now lives. But it was an area that I went to for some of my time as a child. I grew up for a time spending my holidays at Lake Hayes in Arrowtown. And now after going back there all these years later, can once again barely recognise what it was like in the past now things have changed and developed so much since that time. The once carefree memories of a child now caught up in the busyness and prosperity of what Queenstown and Arrowtown now holds.
I believe we are coming into a season where we may want to long for the child like things of the past, how things once were, perhaps more carefree or simple, or so we thought, but we cannot go back there. We cannot look back and desire to have it how it once was. The Lord is moving us all into this new place, He is at work, doing things that may be challenging, even a little fearful, that may stretch us, may be taking us to new heights or perhaps depths, that we didn't know existed, but God is still the same today, as he was in the past and will be in the future. He is faithful, He is trustworthy, He is dependable and He is reliable. 'Our job' if you like, is to continue to remember to not worry about tomorrow, but trust Him in today. He will give us grace for what is in our days, strength for tomorrow and peace as we walk the journey.
I had never been in a helicopter prior to this recent trip to Queenstown and I was petrified about it as I have had a fear of heights, but as I overcame the fear and decided to go, I loved it and thought how much I want to learn to fly helicopters, because it was absolutely amazing. There are new experiences and heights that the Lord wants to take us to if we will only step out of our comfort zone and overcome in our fears, put our trust in Him and let him lead us.
Bless you all in the new things the Lord has for you.