Some can do it, but I know for a certainty that I cannot. What? Living too far from my memories. Too far from my past. My past is what makes me who I am today. I enjoy connecting the life of the past to my present. It helps me identify the possibilities of tomorrow. It’s somewhat sad that I realize this so late in life. Much of what I do today revolves around touching the memories of my past. A historian, you may ask? No. I enjoy the foundation back there, so I can live more fully here and consider all the tomorrow’s in front of me.
That’s why my blog theme is “Making Sense of Life, One Thought at a Time.”
The Apostle Paul said, “Forgetting all… I press forward.” (Philippians 3:13-14) For him, it had a lot to do with his part in the drama of the new church. As Saul, he was a persecutor. When his name changed to Paul, he was now a missionary, fighting for what he had once tried to destroy. Back then, he did despicable things. Today, he’s making all the wrong right as much as possible. Tomorrow? He’s ready to give it all!
Yet, is it any wonder he struggled with his past?
Most of Us
Most of us don’t have Paul’s problem to worry about. What little we dread from back there is “under the blood. Our sins are cast as far as the East is from the West and never to be remembered again. Right? There’s scripture for this. (1 Peter 4:8, Psalms 103:12)
Yet, we’ve all come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) We were born in sin and shaped in iniquity. But we serve a God who can forgive all our transgressions. (Psalms 51)
Forgetting the sinful past makes a remarkable change in us. We no longer want the past to dominate; instead, let’s enjoy a new way of living and talking. If our past is negative, then move forward. If there is a joy to be found, then bring your memories along with you! Perhaps you learned a lesson that bears remembering. Keep the memory close!
“It’s difficult sorting the memories, but it’s a great time remembering.”
One thing memory shows me is how far I’ve come. Have I reached my best potential? No. I’m still stretching forward. Does the past still speak? Yes! To me, for me, and against me all the time. Can I overcome? Yes. I’m like Paul in that regard.
How about you?