The Gift in YouSample

Redeeming Your Past 

So, what about those of us who have screwed up our past? What about those of us whose pasts are littered with brokenness, shame and poor choices? We believe that our story isn’t worth telling. We don’t believe that there is any GIFT in us. Is there any hope for us? Since our Creator is also our Redeemer (Eph 1:7) and Restorer (Joel 2:25-26), we can live in the real hope of renewed purposes even from the most traumatic pasts. It is life-giving to know and to trust that He makes all things new (Rev 21:5) and He works all things together for His greater good (Rom 8:28). This is our hope! This is our solid ground!

You are not defined by your past, but your past can prepare you for future usefulness. The good news is that we can trust Him to use our entire past for redemptive purposes in our future. Allowing God to redeem our past is a critical choice that we all have to make. Since God is the perfect steward and He does not waste a thing, we must remember that all things CAN be used for future good IF we allow Him to do the redeeming and restoring work. However, it is up to us to ASK for it and to YIELD to this work. Let the redeeming work begin so that you can get on to the purposes of greater glory. He can bring “purpose from our pain” and “ministry from our misery.” These redemptive stories are our unique gift to give the world. As He comforts us, we are to comfort others. This is a greater work of ministry where He takes the ashes of our past and turns them into crowns of beauty—beauty for ashes.

Inviting God to redeem your past is a gift that you can give to yourself and to others. In Mark chapter 12, Jesus was asked about what the greatest commandment is, which one is most important of all, and He replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. ‘The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31 NLT) So, our actions and obedience have to be built around knowing Him and loving Him, which leads to trusting Him. Then, out of that very knowledge, we would love and serve others. The storyline of our lives is rich with valuable lessons about how to love Him, love ourselves and others more. Let us be quick to learn.

Our redeemed lives can be viewed as a beautiful tapestry woven with purpose and design. It may look messy from my point of view (the back of the tapestry) but, ultimately, my yielded life can be His creative work on the “front side.” The dark threads of our trials and brokenness add dimension and beauty to our story. Yield, and invite Him to the redemptive work from your past. Let Him work things together for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purposes.

Ponder

How can you allow the Lord to bring a redeeming purpose from your past pains and heartbreak? His healing work and your unique story of such is your gift unto this world.

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes to where you want to use the pains of my past for your future purposes and glory. As you have comforted me, let me be the hands and feet of comfort for others. Help me to realize the opportunities hidden in my past for greater usefulness.