"Forward Progress"

This word is for someone(s) in the now moment of time.
Pay heed, read, consider, and be encouraged!

Yesterday morning I woke up and heard the Lord say, "Forward progress."   I knew immediately His point, and throughout the day, I found myself smiling as I mediated on His point.  This morning I woke up and heard Him say, "Write it."  So here I am, sharing this word with you. Without a doubt, I know it will bless and encourage you!

Just months ago, I rediscovered a childhood love of mine.  Football.  Now, know this: you don't have to be a fan or know how the game is played to appreciate this word, so READ ON!

My years of adulthood had eroded my enjoyment of the game, but with my youngest son picking up the sport and actively playing it last fall, an enjoyment of mine was joyfully resurrected.

In watching the sport this season, two words resonated in my spirit each time I heard them: "Forward progress."

By definition, forward progress is "the location to which a ball carrier's forward momentum carries him."  Where forward progress stops is how and where the officials determine where to place the ball for the next play.

So, get this.... this is THE point:  Should the ball carrier be pushed back, he is NOT penalized.  The ball is still placed at the spot where he ceased forward motion.

Do you sense where this is going?

I have found God invokes the ruling of "forward progress" within our lives.

We are not penalized for where we are tackled.  If we get pushed back, God places the ball of our lives at the moment forward progress ceased.

He knows in this life we are going to get tripped up, we are going to get tackled, we are going to get run and/or shoved out of bounds, and without a doubt - there are going to be moments we get pushed back.

 
But in such moments, TAKE HEART, dear ones! God is going to place the ball, for the next play, graciously at the moment your forward progress stopped.   

So, in those moments where you feel that initial shove backwards, press your shoulder into it, resist it, give it all you have, but know HE is FOR you, He sees your heart and your desire to continue moving up the field..... and at the end of the play, regardless of where you go down, you will begin again with NO lost yardage!

Remember:

HE is FOR you!  

Greater still, He is WITH you!
You are  NOT in it alone if you don't want to be! 
Tap into HIS strength.
He is more than willing and able
 to press HIS shoulder into your difficulty!

Come what may, press on towards the goal!  With God, you WILL make the touchdown!

Blessings!
Deborah