Have you ever thought about the way that your memory can
glamorize past events? I try not to spend a lot of time walking down memory
lane, but every now and then, I find myself reminiscing of days gone by and
longing for the chance to do it ever again or make a different choice.
The times in question are almost always moments that I wished I had done
differently, or not done at all. There are a lot of wrongs that I would love to
have done right. There is a lot of pain that I caused myself or others, and hurt
that was put on me by others. I also find myself sometimes considering how good
things once were too. How easy life once was a child, or how much simpler days
were before gained the responsibilities I have today.
Ecclesiastes 7:10: "Say not, 'Why were the former days
better than these?' For it is not from wisdom that you ask
this."
These thoughts are common, I believe, but
I now see that they are not simply that. Looking back and asking questions or
yearning to make changes are not accepting God's plan for your
life.
Yes, there are changes. There are
difficult seasons. Through everything, there is a wisdom that The Lord gives us
to make the right choice. If we don't do it, it does not completely derail His
plan, it simply detours us and God uses another moment to get us back on track.
And if we choose wrong again, He will continue to persist. He isn't like us. He
doesn't look back with regret. He doesn't give up. He is relentless. So don't
you give up either!
Don't believe the lie that the best is
behind you. You haven't even tasted the sweetness of what lies ahead. Stop
second-guessing yourself. It's like telling God that He messed up. Don't you
know He can use anything and anyone?
Isaiah 43:18-19: “Remember not the
former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the
wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Whoever you were before today, whatever you did or didn't do, it can all be
different, and it will. Acknowledge that you can't do it on your own, and though
you can't change the past, you can go forth from here as an entirely new
you.
Rise up from the ashes of yesterday.
Philippians 3:13 Brothers, I do not
consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies
behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
Glorious Ruins by
Hillsong
When the mountains fall
And the tempest roars You are with me
When creation folds
Still my soul will soar on Your mercy
I'll walk through the fire
With my head lifted high
And my spirit revived in Your story
And I'll look to the cross
As my failure is lost
In the light of Your glorious grace
Let the ruins come to life
In the beauty of Your Name
Rising up from the ashes
God forever You reign
And my soul will find refuge
In the shadow of Your wings
I will love You forever
And forever I'll sing
When the world caves in
Still my hope will cling to Your promise
Where my courage ends
Let my heart find strength in Your presence