Often I hear people speaking words of encouragement to others: “Your past doesn’t define you.” And although it is true that who I am becoming as a person is not restricted by my past, I would do well not to negate the importance of understanding it. Through the eyes and in the hands of the Master Artist, the bits and pieces of my past can become a thing of beauty.
Theologically, we see this in Paul’s urging of the early Christians to understand that the requirements given to Moses by God as to how to please him were good...but unattainable humanly speaking. The problem was, no one could do it perfectly. We see this over and over again in the Old Testament. People do well for a while and then they mess up. So, the new way of pleasing him – by accepting the work done once and for all on the cross and by the resurrection was better. In fact, now our righteousness isn’t based on the outward works at all, but by the righteousness of Christ who lives in us. This is what was meant in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
Not all of my past is good. Some of it is known by only a few. But looking back, I can see that that my early childhood was a time that God revealed himself to me in a way that, although religion confused and damaged for a time, has kept me pursuing him.
My writing assignment this week got me thinking about this, as we were asked to write on the word “from” using the “Where I’m from” format. Here are a few lines from my reflections:
I am from splashing through creeks looking for crawdads -
I have become someone who loves to sit or sleep by singing streams, listening for the Spirit.
I am from a little white country church with songs floating through open windows -
I have become an everywhere worshipper.
I am from conversations with my “friend” who lived in a hole in my wood-frame house -
I have become someone who is in constant conversation with him who lives in my heart.
I am from joy and excitement over a clean sheet of paper and a sharp pencil -
I have become someone who still lives there.
I am from crying for the moon -
and I am becoming someone who longs to see the moon’s Maker.
And after reflecting on the scripture mentioned here, I will add this:
I am from striving to be good – (glory)
and I am being transformed, slowly, into perfection
by sitting in the presence and beholding His Glory.
We need unveiled faces to see the past and the future in a transformative way. Let go of shame, take a look back, evaluate where you are, and look forward with hope to our glorious future!
Need to take a look back with fresh eyes and with someone to walk with you? Want to explore new ways of sitting in his presence? Maybe Spiritual Direction would be helpful. Contact me at debbie@gracefordays.com. And check out the New Events page.
Happy trails on the glory road!