The Past is History

“You were taught with regard to your former way of life , to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-23)

Our past does not have to determine our future. It doesn’t mean that we agree with or condone whatever it is we have done; it just means that we no longer choose to let our past actions hold us back. And we should never think there is a limit to what God can do through us! I set limits on myself all the time, and run away in fear and doubt from plans, dreams and desires that dwell in my heart. I have done many things in my life for which I am ashamed and often find myself re-living in the past; wishing to change circumstances that can’t be changed. But God’s desire for me is to let go of my past guilt and look forward to what He will help me become. My job doesn’t end with the failures in my past! As Christians, we are in a continuing education program and must read God’s word and pray for what is good and what is pure so that we can be obedient and look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life.

“Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you; develops well-formed maturity in you.” (Romans 12:1-2 MSG)

What is something that you really want to do for God? What is holding you back?! Imagine that you are no longer limited by doubts and limitations that you set on yourself. Imagine that these obstacles are no longer able to hold you back. That’s God’s desire; He wants us to be transformed with renewed minds because He has good, pleasing and perfect plans for us. This is serious stuff for me! I have a rich desire and lots of great ideas to help the homeless and less fortunate people in my community, but so far it has just been that; an idea. There lies in me fear and doubt on getting the job done, and I continue to cop-out and wait for the right time and the right place. Every day I tell myself that this is the day for me to make a difference; it’s the moment to transform any confusion, skepticism, and inhibitions into magnificent opportunities and make them real! I know that many of us share these same desires to use the gifts we believe we have and move on to a fuller and more meaningful life of faith and obedience to Christ, we just need to let go of whatever it is in our past that is holding us back, because “yesterday ended last night”! 

Linking up with Tracy on Winsome Wednesday!