Recently, I was listening to Pandora, and a song came on that I hadn’t heard in years. It was the song “Bye Bye” by Jo Dee Messina. She said something that struck a chord with me (pun intended). She said, “Got a left foot down on my accelerator and the rear view mirror torn off, cause I ain’t never lookin’ back, and that’s a fact.” What hit me most was “the rear view mirror torn off, cause I ain’t never lookin’ back.” This is how we should be about our past, as well. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! There are many more scriptures stating the same thing. Isaiah 43:18-19a: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, every sin of your past was wiped away. Gone. Forgotten. Hebrews 10:17, “Their sin and lawless acts I will remember no more.” The only person who would bring up your past is the devil. He will remind you and remind you until you are convinced that God remembers, too. Rest in knowing you don’t have to think or worry about past mistakes ever again. They aren’t being held against you. Why? Because, God does not remember! He can’t! The blood of Jesus washed all of it away. When His loving eyes see you, He doesn’t see who you were. He sees Jesus and what He did for you and who you are in HIM.

Keep your eyes on the only One Who matters: Jesus.  Just like my post yesterday: because of Jesus, all is possible. He made a way where there seemed to be no way. He willingly came, suffered, bled and died so we can have life and have it more abundantly: John 10:10. We could live 1,000 years and still never be able to earn or deserve the gift Jesus gave to us. That’s what makes it so precious. The Father knew there would be people who would never love Him in return. He knew there would be people who would never accept His incredible Gift, but He offered His only Son anyway. And Jesus, knowing the same, WILLINGLY offered Himself. That is Love. That is Agape Love. John 3:16, “For this is how much God loved the world – He gave His one and only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in Him will never perish but experience everlasting life.” (The Passion Translation) 

I heard the coolest quote when I was a teenager, but I don’t remember who said it: “If the devil tries to remind you of your past, remind him of his future!”

Several weeks ago, a very dear friend of mine’s son passed away unexpectedly. He was 25. I can’t wrap my head around the immense grief she is going through. He was her firstborn, but regardless of where he lands in the family, it’s an enormous loss that every parent dreads. I was emailing a mutual friend of ours, and we were discussing this precious lady. I have a beautiful orchid on my desk that was given to me, and it had one single flower left on it. At the moment I was reading my friend’s response, that last flower fell off of my orchid. It was as if the orchid was grieving, and it reminded me how incredibly precious but fleeting life truly is. Thankfully, because of Jesus, there is life beyond death. The orchid will bloom again in its time, and when we pass from this life to the next, we will, too. We will be more alive in the presence of the Father than we ever were here. Jesus gives us hope and peace, because we know death is not the end. For those of us who have made Him the Lord of our life, there is more peace, joy and love than we could ever imagine waiting for us when we leave this world behind.

 My heart grieves for my friend. I have hurt for her in ways I never thought possible. I pray for her, and I will continue to pray for her. I will continue to lift her and her sweet family to the very throne room of God. Again, because of Jesus, we have access to Him. Don’t ever be afraid to tell God how you feel; He already knows, anyway. I remember a time as a teenager, I was really upset about a situation with another friend. I was alone in my bedroom, and I said, “Lord, who can I call to talk to about this? I’m really upset, and I need to talk. Who can I talk to?” I distinctly heard the Holy Spirit whisper to my heart, “Talk to Me.” So, I did. I poured my heart out to Him, and it was exactly what I needed. He’s there, even when you don’t feel He is. He is but a whisper away, and when you need Him, He will be there. Don’t give up. Don’t let go. Run to Him. His arms are ALWAYS open, ready to embrace you in love and peace. His love for you is IMMENSE. You are in His thoughts. You are in His heart. DON’T. GIVE. UP.