Have you ever needed to close chapters in your life? Sometimes it’s simple. It was a great chapter but it’s time to move on. Another may have been painful but you learned a lot and the time was right to turn the page. Then you have those chapters you go back and re-read because there was/is so much there. You analyze every sentence to learn as much as you can before closing.
Some chapters closed because you had no control over them. Others are kept open because they bring you happiness. You dip into them from time to time and remember with joy the moments those pages represent. Then there are the chapters you keep open because of fear. The “what if” scenario. As long as the page doesn’t turn tough decisions don’t have to be made. Hard truths don’t have to be faced. We leave chapters open because we don’t want to deal with the aftermath.
These open chapters are often like open wounds. Open wounds fester and you are constantly aware of their presence. Closing those chapters, healing those wounds often mean we may have to forgive someone…or…we may have to forgive ourselves. Closing these chapters may require us to look deep within ourselves and accept our failures and shortcomings. Closing these chapters will nearly always require grace…to ourselves…and to others.
Closing chapters will bring us healing…and growth. When we continually look back we are robbing ourselves of the beauty God has given us in the present. We are blinded to our future and to all of the hope it gives us.
“…therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases…” Lamentations 3:22a
Closing chapters will take away fear…Fear does not motivate us in a positive way. Fear keeps us on the defensive. The fear of the “unknown” can be debilitating. We make decisions based on what others may think instead of what we know to be right. The fear of “what if” will keep us lukewarm. When fears are faced…our chains are gone. Strength is returned…we are free.
“I prayed to the Lord, and HE answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
Closing chapters will enable us to move forward…Letting go of past mistakes and past hurts allow us to clearly see the possibilities of hope God has set before us. Those “what-if’s” don’t seem so scary when we are looking at blank pages…a clean slate…provided by a forgiving, grace-filled God.
“…one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining towards what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal… Philippians 3:13
When I think of chapters… Peter pops to the front of the line. So many chapters…
Peter…
…stepped out on the water and sank. Matthew 14:30
…fell asleep while Christ was agonizing in the garden. Matthew 26:40
…denied Christ three times. Luke 22:57,58,60
…cut off the ear of the high priests slave. He did not understand what had to happen. John 18:10
These chapters could have destroyed his confidence. He could have held on to those pages and been crippled for life. But what did Peter choose? He chose to write new chapters. Chapters that show how to hope, heal, and grow. Chapters that show fear does not belong in a Christians’ life. Page upon page on becoming strong for the God who loves us most. Beautiful new chapters on courage and forgiveness and grace and moving forward.
Peter was able to write these chapters because he accepted the forgiveness Christ offered. He accepted grace.
“Peter, do you love ME more than these?” “Yes, Lord; You know that I love you.” “Feed My lambs.”
“Peter, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord: You know that I love you.” “Tend My sheep.”
“Peter, do you love me?” “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love you.” “Feed My sheep.”
John 21:15-17
Peter was one of Christ’s most trusted disciples. Each chapter in Peter’s life taught him lessons on how to be the leader Jesus needed him to be. He didn’t look back, he didn’t become discouraged, he didn’t quit. Peter learned the lessons. He closed those chapters…got out his pen…and began again.
While listening to Pandora at the gym the other day, a song came on that I had never heard before. I thought of Peter…I thought of myself.
PEACE BE STILL (by Hope Darst)
I don’t want to be afraid
Every time I face the waves
I don’t want to be afraid
I don’t want to be afraid
I don’t want to fear the storm
Just because I hear it roar
I don’t want to fear the storm
I don’t want to fear the storm
Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks
Peace peace over me
I’m not gonna be afraid
‘Cause these waves are only waves
I’m not gonna be afraid
No, I’m not gonna be afraid
And I’m not gonna fear the storm
You are greater than its’ roar
Oh, I’m not gonna fear the storm
No, I’m not gonna fear at all
Let faith rise up
O heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Peter faced the storms. He became afraid. BUT…Fear did not win…Faith did.
The storms of life are hard, they are battering us at every turn. But, we have choices. We can choose to close those chapters that are holding us back and keeping us chained in fear. We can choose to forgive and give grace. We can choose to “Let faith rise up in me”.
Every morning we wake up to the possibility of beginning a new chapter. One may need to close in order to move forward, but the reward is worth it. What will you write today?
“His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22b-23
Listen to His Voice,
Lee Ann
