He was headed for the land of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran, and settled there. Terah lived for 205 years and died while still in Haron. Genesis 11:31b-32. (NLT)
Do you see the verbs in this passage of scripture?
HEADED…Terah started moving toward a particular place
STOPPED…but something happened and he stopped progressing toward the specified place
SETTLED…therefore, he chose to take up residence in another place
LIVED…he spent day after day in a place opposite of where he had intended
DIED…he ceased to exist any more after spending much of his life in the place of compromised.
I understand that we all have dreams that don’t quite materialize and at times we find those dreams are exchanged for much better God-ordained dreams. But this passage of scripture just stands out to me today. Rather than rushing past it to the rest of chapter my eyes and mind were drawn back to these verses. As I reflect upon them, these questions come to mind.
Where was I headed?
What caused me to stop seeking, stop desiring, or stop making progress toward that place?
Have I elected to settle at a place short of the destined place because of disappointment or fear?
Am I willing to spend the rest of my days just settling and not pursuing?
My friend, could there be some place you have settled that God longs for you to start back on the journey toward this year?
Linking up with Word-Filled Wednesday hosted at the Internet Café Devotions.
holycamp09 says
5 January, 2011 at 2:17 pmWanda,
Great words. I was reading those passages last night and I didn't notice this. I'll have to go back today and really mediate on them. Thank you for sharing.
Deborah
Joanne Sher says
5 January, 2011 at 2:34 pmOh wow, Wanda. SO much to ponder here. Lots of good questions – LOVE this!
Alida says
5 January, 2011 at 3:52 pmPowerful post…
We were headed for at least 20 years in Russia and God gave us five. We are settled now in Belize. But are we really settled here? My aim is to live a life of rejoicing in Him no matter where He takes us.
thank you so much for these words to ponder on.
Happy Word-filled Wednesday!
Joy & Blessings,
Alida
PatriciaW says
5 January, 2011 at 4:01 pmWhen you put it like that…
A thought-provoking piece, Wanda, one all too meaningful.
Andrea says
5 January, 2011 at 4:43 pmBlessings,
andrea
Carey says
5 January, 2011 at 5:36 pmWhat wonderful questions to ponder! Thank you so much for sharing your insight!
Audrey says
5 January, 2011 at 6:05 pmThank you for these powerful words. God bless you!
welcome to my world of poetry says
5 January, 2011 at 6:13 pmGreat words Wanda writen with convistion.
Yvonne.
lori says
5 January, 2011 at 6:50 pmohhhhh Wanda! It's great to be back! This is just absolutely awesome! The visual and the words! Girl, you are an incredible blessing each week here!
Life interrupts. God intervenes.
Louie Giglio's, Life Interrupted is an awesome one to listen to!
Powerful Word girlfriend!!
Happy New Year! May it be full of peace and grace…
lori
Kelli says
5 January, 2011 at 7:26 pmI really like the breakdown of this verse. This year I dont want to settle for my best. I want God's best all year through. Great post!
Dawn says
5 January, 2011 at 8:39 pmWow Wanda YES I read that this morning too and your thoughts echo my own for this new year. Where am I going? Such important things to be thinking about. Thanks for dropping by my blog this morning. 🙂
wisdomvirtueandrubies says
5 January, 2011 at 10:44 pmOH I LOVE IT!!!! Love it!! I won't even say much more than that. I LOVE how the power of the Holy Spirit spoke through you on this one.
theemissarysfeet says
5 January, 2011 at 10:53 pmwow what a great revelation and a great message to reflect, i have to ask myself those questions.
Peggy (mazmagi) says
6 January, 2011 at 12:09 amBlessings Wanda! Powerful reflection and power packed questions on verses we may just pass by…but your analysis from checking out the verbs is excellent! So I must ponder as well… HEADED out for but STOPPED… where? and what part of my journey do I need to return and pursue? Great questions to start out my new year quest! Thank you for such profound wisdom as you search God's Word in your reading! Love your visual and post!
Peace and joy,
Peggy
Sharon Kirby says
6 January, 2011 at 2:02 amPowerful, Wanda!
I'm so glad you brought all of this out of this passage. Yes, in many ways, complacency is a tool of the enemy. We get settled – and often, too secure – in a place that is familiar. Today, in my one-year Bible reading, these verses really stuck out to me. I think it's appropriate to what you're saying here:
"The LORD had said to Abram, 'Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you'…So Abram departed AS THE LORD HAD INSTRUCTED." (Genesis 12:1, 4a)
Lord, never let me get so used to one place – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually – that I am unwilling to MOVE when You call…
Thanks, Wanda –
GOD BLESS!
Bernadine says
6 January, 2011 at 3:00 amLove those nuggets you shared from that scripture Wanda. They give much to ponder upon.
Donna says
7 January, 2011 at 2:48 amChewing on these rich words and your great questions.
Wanda says
7 January, 2011 at 3:59 amThank you for stopping in and sharing your thoughts. I'm honored that you were able to glean something from the truths that struck me as I did my daily Bible reading. For any place that you have stopped prematurely, I pray that you have the courage and strength to head again. Love & blessings to you.
Amydeanne says
7 January, 2011 at 1:38 pmgreat thoughts wanda! how many times we "forget" where we are destined for and stay else where… I've been feeling like that lately and trying to get back on track! Thanks for the great post!
Short Poems says
7 January, 2011 at 4:37 pmGreat writing Wanda!
Enjoyed it!
Best wishes for 2011!
Marinela
sarah says
7 January, 2011 at 6:37 pmgreat word
welcome to my world of poetry says
8 January, 2011 at 2:30 pmFor your Inspirational faith I have awarded you an award on my Inspiration post.
Yvonne.
Ellen aka Ella says
9 January, 2011 at 1:07 amI also settled, fear and constantly moving, threw me off course. I had a scare last year, that woke me up…I need to try, not wonder on my death bed,"what if"! I think we have to continue to take steps on paths, we find interesting to keep our passion alive! It is easy to settle, I did it for a long time. It is easier than making waves…I am making waves. Messy ones and I'm happier!
xXx Great post~
Dena E's Blog says
9 January, 2011 at 9:00 pmWhat a JOY in His Spirit it is to visit with you here Sis…
Beautiful post as you're sooooo anoited in the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ.. You're prayer at the end of the posy so fits my heart for Him also…Thanks for ALWAYS sharing about Our God ,, the Only One who Leads and asks us to follow Him with our whole heart mind and soul…
May you continue to feel the best blessing's of His presence Sis~~~Love and Hugs Dena
lioneagle says
10 January, 2011 at 12:59 amHi Wanda –
I love what you did with this – quite artistic indeed!
Also the truth of what you have expressed goes deep…
Thank you, Wanda, for this message that certainly gives cause to ponder!