Lisa Notes: Turn back or go forward?

Turn back or go forward?

“Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?”
Numbers 14:3

Do you ever start something, then wish you could say, “Never mind”?

A couple months ago I agreed to take on the VBS project for our El Salvador mission trip this summer. I didn’t make the decision lightly, yet still I continue to have moments of, “What have I gotten myself into?”

Especially when setbacks come. And setbacks always come.

It’s those times in the middle when the temptation to turn back has to be weighed carefully. Would it really be advantageous to turn back instead of going forward?

So when I read this quote from The Pilgrim’s Progress last week, it spoke to me. Christian was asking the same question:

Sometimes he had half a thought to go back; then again he thought he might be half way through the valley; he remembered also how he had already vanquished many a danger, and that the danger of going back might be much more than for to go forward; so he resolved to go on.

He resolved to go on.

I will, too. I remind myself: God’s grace is bigger than any setbacks. Bigger than the doubts. Bigger than my abilities.

I don’t want to be like the Hebrews wanting to turn back to Egypt instead of going forward into Canaan.

So I’ll look back only to remember how far I’ve already come. And to see how much God has already rescued me from.

I do want to go to El Salvador, no doubt about that—God’s already given the grace for that. Now I need to trust he will continue giving grace for the work ahead.

I won’t go back to Egypt. I resolve to go on.

* * *

Do you ever want to quit halfway through? How do you get over it?

Comments (21)

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@AdventurzNchild · 679 weeks ago

we "press toward the mark" and rely on His grace- it is sufficient - thank you for sharing ;)

1 reply · active 679 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

I think this whole little section is worth quoting, now that you've got us started. :-) It's all very applicable. Thanks, Kelli.

Php 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
Php 3:16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
My recent post Turn back or go forward?

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Messy Marriage · 679 weeks ago

I feel stuck in a certain area, a certain relationship, so I relate to this in the fact that I want to "resolve to go on." I'm not wanting to quit, but I'm tired of the limbo that this relationship is requiring. So I've been committed to moving on in an emotional sense and this post encourages me on that much needed path. Thanks so much for giving me that little nudge, Lisa!

1 reply · active 679 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

I'm kinda stuck in an relationship issue myself. I don't want to give up on it, but it's left me hanging halfway out there. I don't want to turn back to square one. So perhaps I should apply this little nudge to that situation too. So thanks for your comment, Beth. :-) I love how God works through the blogging world.
My recent post Turn back or go forward?

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barbarah 65p · 679 weeks ago

Yep, just about every project has those moments of "Why did I ever agree to this?" In my early years I would get dismayed because if I was doing something for the Lord obviously it was all supposed to go smoothly, right? LOL! After a while I realized that living in a fallen world, having an active spiritual enemy, and the the reluctance of my own flesh were going to throw up obstacles every time, and the only thing to do was seek God's grace and keep going.
My recent post The Week in Words

1 reply · active 679 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

You define those enemies well, Barbara, which tells me I shouldn't be surprised by discouragement. I should be more surprised if there were NO roadblocks. ha.
My recent post Turn back or go forward?

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fsamons 60p · 679 weeks ago

I have a tendency to bite off more than I can chew... and yes, I always look back and think, I'm half way across, there is no turning back. Why did I do this? What is wrong with me? Even when the things are for and by the grace of God.
You are definitely not alone. My hunch is that you will excel... call it a gift I guess!
My recent post OUR REFLECTION

1 reply · active 679 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

Glad I'm not alone in this feeling. Like Barbara said above, we shouldn't be caught off guard when things don't go smoothly.

You do have gifts. And I hope your hunch is correct. :-) Only by the grace of God...
My recent post Turn back or go forward?

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Bobbi · 679 weeks ago

I shouldn't be caught off guard...but I always am! HA! On a funny note...this is why no one in the family will play games with me...I get half way through and I'm SO DONE!
My recent post Peaceful...I love you!

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

So you're one of THOSE. ha. I can see us playing Monopoly and you walking away after I buy Park Place and Boardwalk. :-)
My recent post Turn back or go forward?

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bekahcubed 18p · 679 weeks ago

I'm tempted to want to go back pretty frequently. Back to my idyllic homeschool childhood (where I could read practically 24-7). Back to the relatively responsibility-free college years (where I could switch activities almost whenever I wanted-instead of having to work straight through for eight or nine hours a day). Back, back, back. I am a discontented soul.

Last week, while finalizing my Haggadah for Passover this weekend, I found this interesting bit on Wikipedia: "Jews in Afghanistan and Iran hit each other over the head with green onions during the [Dayenu] refrain... This may be due to a passage in Numbers 11:5-6, where the Israelites see manna and recall Egypt. 'We remember the fish that we used to eat in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions and the garlic. Now our gullets are shriveled. There is nothing at all. Nothing but this manna to look at.' It is thought that by beating each other with the onions they taught themselves not to yearn for Egypt or to forget Egyptian Bondage."

Sometimes I need someone to bash me over the head with a green onion to remind me of God's goodness in every stage of my life--and His continued goodness in bringing me to where He has me now.
My recent post WiW: Wisdom from the Past

2 replies · active 679 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 679 weeks ago

So you're saying I could throw a green onion at you and you wouldn't protest? ;-)

I hear echoes of my oldest daughter in your voice--she couldn't wait to graduate from college, but once she got a "real" job, she grew tired of having to be there every day, all day. In a more perfect world, if she could have her way (and you might relate), she'd have kids now and stay at home.

But until/if that happens, contentment is the goal. We all struggle with discontentment to varying degrees. I need to keep a stash of onions on hand for myself too...
My recent post Turn back or go forward?

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bekahcubed 18p · 679 weeks ago

I could definitely use a good whack with an onion (especially after seeing pictures of the house my friend just bought. And he's only 22-SO not fair. But God is good and He brought me here for a good purpose.)

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Lynn Severance · 679 weeks ago

I think a lot depends on how we make a decision in the first place - a decision for involvement. If we really believe that God is in it and moved on that assurance then, yes - there will be plenty of opposition to come to discourage us. It is important to discern if it is the world, the flesh or the devil ( as the saying goes ). And how will our changing courses affect others? That is important.

There can be times when cutting back or changing course may be necessary and the test I go through if that happnes is if I am at peace. God's peace about any decision I make is key. The storms can rage but if I still have the assurance of His peace in the midst of my human groanings and He leads me to persevere, then onward I go ( or wait, depending on the situation ).

I believe we all have to give ourselves ( and others ) room for grace - that having to cut something short is not a cause for heaping shame on ourselves. And God Himself may have good reasons for changing a course.

Wow - sticking close to Him and seeking His counsel really is the key. Until it comes, I don't want to move. I want HIm to open the doors, change the red lights to "green" and lhelp me to learn along the way.

1 reply · active 678 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 678 weeks ago

You make a very valid point, Lynn. And add a dimension to this post that needed to be said: there's no shame in turning back when it's the Lord leading us back! Yes, the main thing is we need to be open to God's leading, wherever he takes us.

And sometimes it's only our pride that keeps us going forward in a direction when he is saying, "Stop already!" I have been in those situations too, when I don't want to turn back because I don't want to be seen as a quitter, even though the Lord is telling me that I need to change course.

So may we have vision, discernment, and humility to follow the Spirit's leading--His ways are always best.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
My recent post Turn back or go forward?

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Julie · 678 weeks ago

Been There!!! One of those phrases that goes around in school nowadays... that I hear is, "Don't Be Hatin' "..... and I smile, because I was always telling my kids when they were growing up...."Don't be quittin' "... When things get *HARD* is when I am most likely to be wishing I hadn't begun "whatever" it is... But again..I have always said...DO Hard Things....to my kids. In finishing out something that is S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g me...my weakest point has just taken on a new strength limit...Next time, I won't feel like looking back....or at least, not as quickly. This is what I remind myself. And yes...I agree...sometimes we take a step and God is intervening with circumstances to get us BACK on course, and we may have to turn back to do that... Not quitting, just being returned to the "best place"....God's positioning and a humbled heart to really really make sure that I am in step with Him and not walking faster than Grace would allow... Hugs to you Lisa. Another moving post. xo :-)
My recent post Merry Monday

1 reply · active 678 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 678 weeks ago

Do. Hard. Things.

Okay, I'm listening to you, Julie. :-) But what if I don't like being stretched so much? Still, do hard things. Just don't "walk faster than Grace would allow." Excellent advice. Thank you, friend!
My recent post …in which I attempt to recite Romans 8

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lauraboggess 49p · 678 weeks ago

And how. But, my, Lisa. VBS is such a big job. Bless you for stepping out of Egypt and into that wilderness. I hope you have a wonderful team of helpers. I'll be praying it's the best VBS ever!
My recent post Playdates with God: A Week of Holy

1 reply · active 678 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 678 weeks ago

You're so sweet, Laura. I appreciate those prayers! The helpers I have are excellent; the quantity is just limited. ;-) But, hey, God never was about big numbers, right? It's his grace I need to rely on...
My recent post …in which I attempt to recite Romans 8

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michellederusha 35p · 678 weeks ago

I've been thinking a lot this way this week and last, panicking over my decision to quit my job and take the leap into full-time writing. This was just what I needed to steady the nerves, Lisa - thank you. And a blessed Easter to you and your loved ones, too!
My recent post Wanting What the Maestro Has

1 reply · active 678 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 678 weeks ago

I'm sure you made a very wise decision, Michelle. I know MANY will be blessed by it! You continue to inspire me.

I pray you have a very blessed Easter too. I feel like I'll be saying good-bye to you in a way on that day because I've been reading your Lent devotional every day and it will be over. :-) Thank you for blessing my spiritual life with your words about The Word.
My recent post It’s a good Friday because HE IS...

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