Let Go of What Lies Behind

Yesterday evening, while I was working diligently on the book, I experienced a minor meltdown.
I am still struggling with a situation from my past that has deeply affected my soul. A part of me remains broken-hearted. I remember two years ago when I asked the Lord to remove the friend from my life because I couldn't bear it anymore. He said, "No, I want you to pray for him in a way that you never have before." And so I have been interceding for him on a very deep level ever since.

But last night, I just needed to stop and cry. My heart still aches, and I continue to have so many questions. I have yet to understand so many of the "whys" of it all.

I managed to get past the meltdown and re-engage (is that a word?) in some incredibly intense, fruitful writing. However, I just felt low the rest of the night. I am tired of going around the same mountain (Deuteronomy 2:3) and yet I don't know where the exit is, or if it is even time.

This morning, on the serene, 40-minute journey that I take to church every week, I felt God speak to my spirit: "Let go of what lies behind."

Immediately, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the Scripture to which He was referring. I knew I must share it with my church family before it was time for me to sing, and now I must also share it with you. "I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own (yet); but one thing I do (it is my one aspiration): forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the (supreme and heavenly) prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward." (Phillipians 4:13-14)

And just a few moments ago, as I have been writing, He brought Romans 8:28 to my remembrance. "We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labor) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose."

Why do we hang on to the past when there is nothing we can do to erase or alter it? Is it because we feel some obligation to linger in guilt? Is it because we get stuck and fear going forward? Is it because it's somehow safe and comfortable, even if it was wrong? I don't know; it could be any number of things.

I believe God wants to use our pasts in amazing ways and I believe He desires for us to see how far He has brought us in the process. And yet, we have to let the past stay in its proper context behind us so that we can continue to walk into God's destiny for our lives. He can and will take ALL things (not just "some" things) and work them together for His purposes when we love and trust Him.

Don't let the past hold you back, family and friends. Keep moving. Keep reaching. God has a mind-blowing plan for your life out in front of you if you will keep your eyes focused on Him rather than looking backwards at what you have done against Him. If He has removed our sins "as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12), then we have no reason to hold onto them!!!

If that's not Good News, I don't know what is! Jesus rocks!