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Leave and Leave Clean
Isaiah 52:11-12 'Out of here! Out of here! Leave this place! Don't look back. Don't contaminate yourselves with plunder. Just leave, but leave clean. Purify yourselves in the process of worship, carrying the holy vessels of God. But you don't have to be in a hurry. You're not running from anybody! God is leading you out of here and the God of Israel is also your rear guard.' (The Message)
 Throughout our lives as Christians we will be, from time to time picking up and leaving things behind. There are two types of situations when we may hear of God to 'move on'. The first involves times of confession; the second is about seasons of transition. Sometimes, we will hear the call of God to leave behind our 'Babylon'. Old influences, thoughts, values and even friendships, will have to be put aside. God will ask us to take stock of our lives, to leave and 'leave clean' – that is, without any bitterness about what others may have done to us. If we don't lay the past down, we won't be able to carry 'the holy vessels of God', performing the true service for which we were called. Sometimes, though, God calls us to leave even good things behind – places where we've had success, positions where we've been a blessing. Those are times of transition, where we must let go of one good task in order to take on a bigger and better one. Perhaps you're at one of those two places right now: confession or transition. God may be pointing to some area of your life and saying: 'That's got the smell of old Babylon about it; it's got to go.' If so, give it to God and move on. Or, you may be at a point of transition. Perhaps God is lifting you from one area of blessing to another level of ministry, service and influence. Take the step of faith, with courage. There's no need to panic; God is leading you. In fact, he's not only going before you, says Isaiah, he's covering your back as well!
Prayer: 'Father, help me to leave behind the things from my past that can hold me down. And, even with the good things you've given me, help me to hold on lightly, so that I'm ready to go when you say "go".'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
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