In Regards To Future Planning, You Will Move For One Of 3 Reasons: Which One Are You?

My Theory Is That Our Living Situations Are Repeatedly Directed Primarily By One Of These Three Priorities: Opportunity, Place, or Relationships. 

Opportunity says:
I am going or staying with the God-given best opportunity.  The location and relationships will have to follow.
ie. "I am staying in or moving back to Michigan because I got a dream job scenario out there."

Place says:
I am going or staying in this area for God.  The right opportunities and relationships will  have to follow.
ie. "I am staying in or moving back to Michigan because I love it and will apply for work once I get out there."

Relationship says:
I am going or staying for these God given relationships.  The right opportunities and place will have to follow.
ie. "I am staying in or moving back to Michigan because that is where I feel most loved by my family community."

Once you start listening, you begin to hear how people often process your plans and their future options using one of these three as their starting point towards a direction.  I don't know how it helps, but it has definitely been a good clarifier to know about myself and others.

Bringing Up Your Past To Bring You Down- Jesus Understands

When Jesus is on trial before his crucifixion... they can't find anything wrong.
The only thing they can do is hold his past words and sermons against Him,

"He said he would tear down and rebuild the temple in 3 days..." 

In a time where people and leaders have to be more conscious about what they publicly say, stand for, or write, we must remember: this is a part of walking the path of Jesus.

With the un-erasible internet and digital media trails, anything can inevitably be dug up and used against leaders today.  This is a different pressure, but not a new problem.  People will inevitably try and hold your words and your past against you.

It is not a matter of having the perfect past, but of God redeeming us and taking us to where He wants us to go.
Of standing strong and pushing through what we don't deserve towards what matters.
Jesus' focus was not about defending his past words but in loving forward to the cross.

To keep from stumbling as Christians,

 we must make every effort to possess God's qualities 

and never forget we have been cleansed from our past sins.

    For this very reason, make every effort to possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ: add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 

      But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.  Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

2 Peter 1:5-11