Annie Downs says, "Celebrate your former self. Don't belittle your former self." I'm paraphrasing, but you get the gist. She says this ALL the time and I absolutely love that she does. So often, we are told to hide our pasts. Our pasts haunt and shame us. We are told they are something to completely distance ourselves from and I just don't think that's truth. Let me start with some Scripture...
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands."
Isaiah 43:18
When referring to our past in Christian circles, we hold onto Isaiah's words. We are told to forget about the past and what has happened. We are to be alert for what is happening in the present time and what is to come in the future. So, it seems pretty clear that we are supposed to completely let go of our past. But, what if we are not?
The Cambridge Bible commentary states that in this verse, the Israelites should not completely forget their past and where they came from. Instead, their past was still to be a part of them, however, their redemption and the future plans of the Lord should reign in their lives. While their past was still very much a part of who they were, it was not the forefront of their story anymore.
Our past makes us who we are in the present time. Our past propels us into our futures. If we believe God is writing our story, than every part matters. That includes our past.
Without our past, we have no redemption. Without our past, we have no hope. Without our past, others cannot see the goodness of the Lord.
The past is very much a part of who we are. There is no shame in our past because we are redeemed. Our past touts a beautiful story of hope and redemption that cannot be told if we omit it from the book. We should not be ashamed in talking about our past because in doing so, we release Jesus to the world. People see humanness, vulnerability, and humility when we expose our past. They see a "me too" friend that may lead them to the same redeeming power that you once experienced that released you from your past.
I am a lover of stories. Everyone has a story and everyone should tell their story. Your life story is valuable. It is a gift wrapped up exquisitely by the grace of God to be shared with someone who needs hope.
Don't be afraid of your past. Don't try to run from your past. Don't be ashamed of your past. The Israelites were all these things and I honestly think that is part of the reason they remained in bondage. They tried to bury their past instead of face it head on, healing and learning from it, and using it as an example of how their mighty God saved them time and time again.
Your past? It matters. Your past led you to who you are today and could potentially be a stepping stone to leading someone to know the hope of Jesus one day. Stand tall in your story. Rest in knowing your Author. There are no edits. All of it matters.
Love & Blessings,
Meg
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands."
Isaiah 43:18
When referring to our past in Christian circles, we hold onto Isaiah's words. We are told to forget about the past and what has happened. We are to be alert for what is happening in the present time and what is to come in the future. So, it seems pretty clear that we are supposed to completely let go of our past. But, what if we are not?
The Cambridge Bible commentary states that in this verse, the Israelites should not completely forget their past and where they came from. Instead, their past was still to be a part of them, however, their redemption and the future plans of the Lord should reign in their lives. While their past was still very much a part of who they were, it was not the forefront of their story anymore.
Our past makes us who we are in the present time. Our past propels us into our futures. If we believe God is writing our story, than every part matters. That includes our past.
Without our past, we have no redemption. Without our past, we have no hope. Without our past, others cannot see the goodness of the Lord.
The past is very much a part of who we are. There is no shame in our past because we are redeemed. Our past touts a beautiful story of hope and redemption that cannot be told if we omit it from the book. We should not be ashamed in talking about our past because in doing so, we release Jesus to the world. People see humanness, vulnerability, and humility when we expose our past. They see a "me too" friend that may lead them to the same redeeming power that you once experienced that released you from your past.
I am a lover of stories. Everyone has a story and everyone should tell their story. Your life story is valuable. It is a gift wrapped up exquisitely by the grace of God to be shared with someone who needs hope.
Don't be afraid of your past. Don't try to run from your past. Don't be ashamed of your past. The Israelites were all these things and I honestly think that is part of the reason they remained in bondage. They tried to bury their past instead of face it head on, healing and learning from it, and using it as an example of how their mighty God saved them time and time again.
Your past? It matters. Your past led you to who you are today and could potentially be a stepping stone to leading someone to know the hope of Jesus one day. Stand tall in your story. Rest in knowing your Author. There are no edits. All of it matters.
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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