Motivated By Desire, Not Thoughts
And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:15-16 (New American Standard Bible, NASB) emphasis mine
The eleventh chapter of Hebrews tells us that acts that these patriarchs and women did was done by faith in the midst of adverse circumstances. It says that if they would have kept thinking of where they had come from, then they would have returned. We must let desire compel us to move on when thoughts would have us go back or stay where we are. We do this by faith; looking to God and listening to God to show us that He has better things for us.
We must let go of the old; forget about it; and press on to the new by pursuing the desire of what God has for us. This will lead us into a more intimate knowledge of God- knowing Him personally by experience. Let your desire be used to move you on and draw you deeper into relationship with God.
Quit thinking about what you thought you lost. Count it as seed sown to reap true riches. Sow the natural things to reap the heavenly things now and forever. Know that God is our true reward. He is our desire and nothing we think of could rival Him.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV)
