It is amazing how much time of our life is spent living in the past, both reliving victories and wallowing in losses. If the past isn’t used to affect the future then the past is overrated. Don’t get it twisted, I am not implying in the slightest, to adopt the mentality of, “Oh, well, the past is the past, get the dirt off your shoulders, get over it and move on…” only to later repeat the mistakes of the past again in again. What I am suggesting is that one treats the past as an archaeologist, using the past as a place for discovery, to reconstruct a new you for the future to see. Deal with the consequences of your history so you can embrace the possibilities of your future.
“But time don’t go back, it goes forward can’t run from the pain, go towards it.” –Jay Z Kingdom Come “Lost Ones”
(Did he just quote Jay Z? yes and I totally am willing to discuss the implications of music, how the Lucifer prior to being kicked out of heaven was influential in the arena of music, how masses are hypnotized by a beat, while subliminal sinful, misogynistic messages are woven into the tapestries of their minds, that later effect behavior. The debate of life imitating art vs. art imitating life, how the church can ill afford to reach the world by mimicking it giving them what they already have without any creativity, without any message of Jesus, how if one is going to cross-over, they must carry the cross (the gospel) over literally. With all that said, this quote simply substantiates the point I am attempting to make regarding the past and pain.)
-But time don’t go back it goes forward
No matter how much we live in the past, it is what it is, the past. Only God has the power to effectively and directly address our past. Genuine true repentance that comes from a sincere heart, and turning away from what we are repenting for, and asking God for a clean heart and right spirit, and allowing the blood to cleanse us is how we deal with our past. 2 Corinthians 5:17 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. The best tool for me to address the past is the present and the future. Paul a man with a checkered past, flaws and all pre Christ (Acts 9) and Post Christ had the courage and wisdom to declare Philippians 3:13-14 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Jesus told Peter, Satan desires to have you to sift you as wheat, but I prayed for you that your faith fails you not, and when you are converted, strengthen the brethren (I am so doing this text an injustice not mentioning Peter’s impulsive nature, how he constantly gets things 100% right in one instance only to get it 100% wrong the next, how he was a part of Jesus’ inner circle (James and John the sons of Zebedee being the others) yet, he denied Christ 3 times at the time when he needed him most, but later affirmed his love 3 times and preached the inaugural message of the New Testament church) Peter takes the mistakes of his past and uses them as fuel to make him a better Peter in the future.
-Don’t run from the pain run towards it
I had the pleasure of spending time with perhaps the most insightful introspective person I know, my mentee Matthew Mason this weekend. I will tell anyone clearly he is the real mentor in the relationship. We discussed this idea of the past and pain the scripture that clarifies the matter is when Peter after seeking God three times to remove pain, listens to God’s response. 2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Many people deny the pain and try to masquerade it. While others fail to acknowledge their weaknesses and some after acknowledging them loathe and wallow in their weaknesses. I ask God intentionally when I experience pain, setback, or heartbreak, allow me to feel the pain completely and so I don’t have a pseudo-healing only to have the pain reemerge later. Satan wants us to run from the pain, because there is power behind the pain. When we identify these areas of pain and surrender to Christ, when we discover our weakness we have just discovered Christ’s strength and it will infuse and empower us to transcend the past, and empower us to accept the future and destiny God desires for us.
