Forward

This month marks 14 years that my family and I have lived in Wisconsin.  Wisconsin’s state motto is “Forward.”  What does “forward” mean?  Google has many definitions, one of which is, “onward so as to make progress; toward a successful conclusion.”  This brings up a couple of different thoughts for me.

First, the chorus of a song by Rodney Atkins comes to mind:

If you’re going through Hell
Keep on going, don’t slow down
If you’re scared, don’t show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you’re there

Sometimes we  have to honestly acknowledge the struggle we’re having, having assurance that we will emerge stronger from the trial.   Progressing. Successful. Forward.

However, the second competing thought is that “forward” is the answer to “stagnation.”  Stagnation is defined as, “lack of activity, growth, or development.”  There have occasionally been periods in my life where I have experienced stagnation; I was just treading water, not growing, not developing, not moving forward.

Last week while looking up a quote, I came across this statement from President Uchtdorf, “[God] has prepared the path to spiritual wellness, to find healing from stagnation and move toward vibrant spiritual health.”  I think we all have an innate desire to grow and progress, to move forward, and that when we are stagnant, our spirit feels weak.

Each of us has a unique path that we are following, our own uniquely tailored curriculum.  I, nor anyone else, can not tell you what your next steps are, which direction is forward, but I know that we can each, individually, ask God what those steps are.

Here’s to another great year in Wisconsin.  Forward!

(PS for another great read try “What Lack I Yet“)