Looking Back
Posted by Dion Todd June 7th, 2024 1,299 Views 27 Comments
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness Luke 4:1 WEB.
I would not be here if I had not first been there. So many times in our life, we can look back and say those words. Where we were when we met our spouse, and how narrow a time frame that it was. When we had to take a job we did not like. Only to find that it was a stepping stone for something better. Or that it provided the skills we would need later.
These things are not mere coincidences. God has a plan and purpose for those that follow Him. Jesus was led by the Spirit to where He needed to be. So was Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Jonah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Peter, Paul, and many others in the Bible.
We are commanded to walk in the Spirit, to keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). Paul wrote: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). Note that the word "fulfill" means: "To complete, execute, accomplish, perform, finish." It does not mean you will never have a wrong thought or desire. But that you will not follow through with them. You push them out of your mind and continue on.
God taught me many of the skills I use today in places I did not want to be. Many of my stories come out of enduring hardship. But I wouldn't be here today without having first been there. They become a part of your path. Only by looking back can you connect the dots that brought you to where you are now.
Once after being laid off from work, I thought it would be great to work in a Christian book store surrounded by other believers. That would be so nice, I thought to myself, to work in a Christian environment like that. Instead, He put me in the darkest, dirtiest job I ever had. In a hole-in-the-wall place that no one had ever heard of. Among the worst sinners I had ever met.
It was a time of solitude. I polished brass at a buffing machine and listened to the Bible all day with headphones. I prayed in the Spirit most of the day and fasted a lot. It was mind-numbing work, but listening to the Bible gave me a lot to think about and caused the day to go by faster.
I grew closer and closer to the Lord, and it became the most anointed time of my life. So far. Miracles began to happen around me. People started being saved without me, hardly saying a word. Soon I was surrounded by other believers. God had turned where I was into a Christian environment. He thinks differently than we do, but you can trust Him to do things right.
If God has brought you this far and done all He has for you in the past, why not trust Him to take care of you today? He will let you be in the right place at the right time. You are not going to miss anything He has reserved for you. The hard things are just a part of our path. Though a road may have bumps, it will still get you to where you are going as long as you keep moving forward. So stay the course, chin up. Your life still has a purpose and where you are is no accident.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for bringing me this far. I choose to believe that You have a plan and a purpose for me being where I am. Please fulfill Your will in my life and guide me to where I need to be. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: The FAAD (Fight Against Anxiety & Depression) hosts "Feel Good Friday" at RHM each week! All are welcome to share a moment, thought or prayer to lift the spirits of the fellowship! Feel Good Friday takes place on the home page at RHM! As always, If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network
Join the discussion! Please sign in to comment, like, and share.
Sherry Mccosh commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
2 months ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You for bringing me this far. I choose to believe that You have a plan and a purpose for me being where I am. Please fulfill Your will in my life and guide me to where I need to be. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Scott Riegelmann commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
3 months ago
Amen thank you for being with me while I'm going through this Father in you I place my trust
Cathy Webb
2 months ago
Continued prayers for strength, courage, and healing in this journey, Scott 🙏
Liesel aka lisa Wardle
3 months ago
Love, hugs and prayers for my brother!! Be strong and take courage, there is light at the end of the tunnel, your Heavenly Father loves you!!! 🙏
Kevin J. Eck commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
3 months ago
Looking back, God has led me through many Miracles! There are times I wish I had written them down in a journal. Thank you Jesus our Savior, Amen!
Liesel aka lisa Wardle
2 months ago
Amen and Amen, Kevin, that is exactly how I feel when I'm looking back and reflecting what God, my Lord, has done, even though there were and still are various hardships and trials, and they more we move forward with the Lord, the harder it gets, because the time is growing short! God bless you, brother! 🙏
Cathy Webb
2 months ago
Highly recommend journaling, Kevin! Our individual stories of God's miracles are so encouraging when times seem impossible. My box of journals is heavier than I can lift! He never leaves us!
Theresa Bright commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
3 months ago
Amen, thank you Lord. Have a great weekend everyone. On my way to Vegas to watch my grandogs while Jerrod is in Arizona.
Sylvia Todd commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
3 months ago
Happy Friday, everyone, we love y'all 🌻!
Dan Remley commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
3 months ago
The Lord has provided me with many good jobs in my life. He has literally saved my life in a few of them. I had two instances were machines should have crushed me. The only explanation is God I know he has plans for me. I am patiently waiting for the next door to open. Guide me into all you have for me Lord. In Jesus name I pray Amen ❤️
Mari Kaufmann commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
3 months ago
God losing my Boy has shook me up so much. Help me Please Amen
Cathy Webb
2 months ago
Lord, pour out Your peace and comfort into Mari's heart. Fill her with Your unfathomable presence. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen
Sylvia Todd
2 months ago
Lord, I lift up Mari to you and pray that you please comfort her, that you draw her close to You and bring her Your peace, in the name of Jesus, amen 🙏!
Lynn Brown
2 months ago
Praying for His peace and comfort to surround you during this most difficult time.🙏
Liesel aka lisa Wardle commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
3 months ago
Amen and Amen, Pastor, another encouraging and uplifting message from you and another testimony shared, thank you!!! I'm not an accident, and where I'm is no accident, our GOD doesn't make any mistakes and He puts us where He wants us to be, the road ahead of us may be full bumps and hurdles, hardships and trials, but as we keep going on the path He sets before us, He equips, strengthens and guides us, and we will have testimonies ourselves to reach out and help someone as we walk on, praise His holy name that He would even consider little insignificant me!!! 🙏
Yvette York commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
3 months ago
AMEN Good Morning Everyone 😀
Celeste Strenn commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
3 months ago
Amen❣️thank you Lord Jesus ❣️
Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
3 months ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You for bringing me this far. I choose to believe that You have a plan and a purpose for me being where I am. Please fulfill Your will in my life and guide me to where I need to be. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️🤟🏻
Bill Fair commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
3 months ago
Amen! Great word here brother! Closing prayer is always right on time!
Gloria Nebarez commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
3 months ago
Amen, I have to believe where I am, God has a purpose for me. Thank you Jesus!
David Krull commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Looking Back
3 months ago
Amen. You are the potter Lord, I am the clay. Mold me and shape me into what You want me to be. Fulfill Your will in me. Here I am.