Past Times
Imagine for a moment that you have changed. You are no longer the person you used to be. Can you press on without thinking of the past?
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. - Philippians 3:12-16
Paul cannot forget what he was before his conversion. He tries to think only about what lies ahead, letting go of the past, but his memory of the time he persecuted the believers haunts him.
Even after Paul was forgiven and set on the right path, he continues to be reminded of how he used to treat those he now encourages. But his example is just what we need to hear as we enter into Lent.
Don't look back, he tells us, other than to remind ourselves of what we have attained. See what progress we have made and move on from there.
What is past is past.
I guess it was hard for Paul to imagine the extent of God's love and grace, to be redeemed after having been a party to murder of the followers of Christ.
After yesterday's attack on innocent children in a Florida high school, it is hard to imagine the murderer finding redemption and salvation in Christ, and yet that is the promise for all of us, isn't it?
No matter what we do, God loves us and wants us to come back to Him.
Imagine, then, how the believers felt when they heard that Paul, formerly Saul, the persecutor, was now preaching salvation to them.
Some must have had a hard time with it. In a way, they probably would have been happier had he remained evil and not repented.
I think that is the challenge we all have as believers. It is one thing to know that we can turn around and be accepted by God, regardless of what we do, if we truly repent.
But how hard is it to accept that those we believe are evil can do the same?
As I pray for the victims of violence, I know deep down that I should also pray for the ones who are responsible for the acts of violence against others. That is so much harder.
Justice does not come in the form of redemption, but instead comes as punishment in our eyes.
So, how will we reconcile ourselves to God this Lent?
Will we accept our misgivings and faults and put them behind us so we can move forward?
If we do, can we accept the same in others?
I am sure we will have trouble. And so we pray.
More to come...