back and forth...

 Isaiah 55:12 (New International Version)

¹² You will go out in joy
   and be led forth in peace; 

the mountains and hills
   will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
   will clap their hands. 

This passage has been really meaningful as I've been transitioning into my new home.  Multiple folks blessed me with the scripture as I left...

This Sunday, I heard the pastor talk about leaving with joy and returning with peace...

in the NRSV this passage says

"For you shall go out in joy,
   and be led back in peace"

Looking at multiple translations, only the  NRSV says "led back", most of the others say "led forth"...

I must say that being led back in peace makes more sense to me in this context

The chapter has just been talking about God's thoughts not being like my own and His ways being different and higher than my own...  Walking into the unknown in that way - hard to see that path as peaceful. 

joyful - yes, i can see that - that scripture suggests that the rain and the snow we walk through water the earth so that it buds and flourishes bringing forth seed for sowing and bread for eating - in this we can hope and be joyful, as we trust in the mercy and pardon found as we turn to the Lord, who is calling us to "come" 

and then after we have walked out a couple of steps on the path He has laid out before us, then we can go back over it seeing God's faithfulness, bringing us to wholeness, and from this perspective we have peace.

it is as i go back and see His faithfulness in appointing my times and places that i experience peace most.  

i think it is important as i go forth, to look back and remember and be at peace.

i need to go back and forth in peace.

i picture myself pacing, 

but with 2 steps forward and one step back,

progressing forward
meandering

slowly, peacefully, joyfully