Have you ever pulled a shirt out of the closet (or pants, or purse) that you had worn before, and stuck your hand in the pocket to find some money you had left in there? Has it ever happened at a time when you were flat broke? What a great feeling…unless you needed it yesterday. Being an ice cream lover there have been times I forgot (not very often) that I had ice cream in the freezer and when I found it I was so happy, but then I would think, “Oh man, I could’ve had some of this last night!” Have you ever used the expression…”why didn’t I think of this before”?! Usually when we say that it is because we have discovered something better but are having regrets about how we did it before. Some people have a real problem with enjoying the present because of what they missed out on in the past. So how do we let go of the past? Should we let go of the past?
I’ve heard many successful parents say, “I want my kids to have it better than I did”, like the ruff path that led them to where they are today had no value in their life. It’s like even though they came out successful, they regret what they had to go through to get there. So what made them who they are today? Most of our character comes from going through trials. I would go as far as to say that people with the strongest character are the ones that went through the most or hardest trials (James 1: 2-3). So what happens when we try so hard to protect our kids form heartache and disappointment that they never learn the value of what they are going through? What will their character be like? What happens when you leave an important ingredient out of a recipe?
I think we are all familiar with the “I walked a mile to school in the snow” stories we tell our kids. Well I actually can say that and be truthful! When I lived in Nevada we lived across town from my school. During the snowy season we either walked, or rode our bikes. In fact, I had a paper route also and would get up at 4am on Sunday mornings (the other days were in the afternoon) to deliver papers in a foot of fresh snow…on my bike! I never thought of it like being cheated out of a better life, that’s where I learned that if you want money you have to earn it. I think one of the reasons I can enjoy my life now is because I don’t regret what I had to go through to get where I am today. So is the answer to “let go” of our past…I don’t think so. I think the key is to figure out how to use our past.
I accepted Christ into my life for the first time in March 2003. My life is so much better than it was before in so many ways. There are times when I think about how much better my life would be now if I had made that decision years sooner. I could let those thoughts consume me, I could choose to let regret be in control, but I choose to let my life be joyful and peaceful with God in control now. I’ve been called on to give my testimony many times. My past is something I would love to forget and leave behind me, but I’ve found that sharing where I’ve been and what I’ve gone through (put myself through) actually helps and encourages others, even a pastor in Thailand! All of my past has made me who I am today and even defines who I am as a Christian (1 Peter 1:6-7). What a gift! God can use my whole life…not just the last 5 ½ years!
As I’ve been saying lately, I have discovered that there is so much beauty in our National Parks. I have been hiking some trails and seeing things I’ve never seen before, beautiful things, amazing things. I can’t believe I never knew of how magnificent the scenery was away from the normal places people go at the park. The thing is this…it has been there all along, I just never looked for it. It’s the same thing with becoming a Christian…Gods been there all along, He’s never left our side, and now that I have discovered Him after looking for Him…I can enjoy the beauty without regret. Just like I look forward to my next hike, I look forward to what God is going to do next in my life. I don’t live in shame of what I did…I live in the joy of what tomorrow will bring, and I don’t have to let go of my past, it’s part of who I am!
So don’t focus on how to forget your past, see how God can use it. And if you’re going through hard times know that God is with you…He’s been there all along…just look for Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
By Glen Bryant
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