Yesterday’s coffee
A new day. Waking up after getting needed rest, I made my way down to the kitchen. The dog had made his needs known, and after they were addressed, I made my husband and me coffee and then went to my desk to sit and have some quiet time with the Lord. I picked up my mug and began to drink, only to find out it was cold. Disappointment and confusion came quickly until I realized I had turned my chair and accidentally picked up yesterday’s coffee.
There is an invitation for you and me to reposition ourselves rightly. There is a call in this season to turn your gaze, your direction, and your attention toward today’s assignment. Nothing good comes from drinking yesterday’s coffee. Fulfilling yesterday’s focus and dwelling on yesterday’s dream keeps us tethered to the “then” instead of to the author of our today and tomorrows.
You have a choice in this moment. You can keep turning your attention toward an old assignment, or you can reposition yourself for the “now one or new one.” There is such joy in picking up the anticipation of the fresh thing. There is such delight in taking part in the “now word” from the Lord.
The tether to former things is what we are talking about. We don’t erase yesterday. It happened. It was good or bad—or somewhere in between. God can heal the hurts, secure the success, and uncover the important truths and impacts along the way. Yesterday is not forgotten, but the ties and tethers to it must be loosened so we can reposition ourselves to walk or run toward today and tomorrow. He is God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He was, is, and is to come. God delights in walking with us every single day, which includes the yesterdays, present, and future.
Sometimes it’s okay that we don’t finish yesterday’s cup. It is hard to say those words, as I love a good list of to-dos and watching every one of them get checked or crossed off. I am not one to leave things undone. However, what if there are times when the assignment wasn’t to see the end, but to challenge the beginning? What if your real assignment was to impact at a crucial pivot, and then God repositions you at an unexpected moment, for such a time?
If God dwells in us and has good things planned for us, we get to shift our attention and belief to match what He has for us. We don’t have to settle for yesterday’s tragedy or triumph. In our day—with His present presence—we get to have the fresh, now word from heaven to direct our steps! Steps sound current to me. Steps mean we are not stuck and looking back. Steps involve movement and progress toward something. What if God is asking you to position yourself for the next thing?
We don’t need to overthink or get worried that we can’t. Fresh and new simply means not old. By definition, it doesn’t automatically mean you “can’t or don’t have the ability” to do it. And if we are getting specific, it also doesn’t say you won’t face those moments. The fact is, God asks us to do things we “can’t do” all the time. So let go of yesterday’s fear and insecurity, because we don’t live just by facts. We live by the Truth of God that says: He walks with us, works through us, and equips us for the things He calls us to. Who He sees us to be—our identity—doesn’t change. Assignments do. Awareness does. Invitations into greater things come to invite you into the fresh, now, or (hot) new thing that is there if you just reposition your life, your gaze, your attention, and awareness.
The author of your yesterday, today and tomorrow is with you. His Spirit equips you for the day. He is the anointing that fills your cup and flows out so you are effective for today and ready for your tomorrows. God’s words are hot, like a fire burning. Look for His words that are alive and His love that is burning for you today. They will point you to the right cup. His cup that overflows for you.
Questions to ask:
What am I holding onto from yesterday?
What direction am I positioned for?
What is God positioning me towards today?
“Do not call to mind the former things; pay not attention to the things of old. Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming.” Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus". Phil 3:13-14
“You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows. So why would I fear the future? Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life.” Psalm 23:5-6
