LETTING GO OF THE PAST

Phil 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

 

Here we are at the last day of the year 2012. At the end of each year, I have gone through a routine over the past 30 years to evaluate my past year. I compare what I have accomplished with respect to the goals I had set before the New Year to see what I could have done differently or better.

 

Inevitably I find several things that I thought were of value were not and things I didn’t consider were valuable. I almost always find things that were obstacles that hindered my ultimate goal and purpose in life. I also find many things that came to me from experiences, people and life that attached themselves to me.  Call them spirits, ideas, feelings, memories or failures.

 

I have found after 40 years that many of these “attachments” often pile up and cause a combination effect that drags me down with preoccupation of stuff that does more harm than good. These “attachments” the Bible calls us to “forget.” Simply, we must “let go” of those things that are in our past that hinders us. I know it is easier said than done. So allow me to suggest a few things or ways to “Letting go of the past.”

 

#1 Forget means to place in a hidden place or to consider it ignorant or of less value. True we do not possess the power to wipe out of our mind the memory of bad things in our past, but we can place a value mark of it in our mind. Take everything that God’s word has labeled destructive or bad for your divine purpose and label it ridiculous, ignorant or stupid. By doing this, you put a “Value” mark of worthlessness upon that experience, issue, hurt or thing from your past.

 

#2 Forget means to put it behind you. Please get this: Putting those things in your past means to put it out of your fore thought – your focus – your directive. Take everything that was bad for you and remove it from your forward sight that it no longer becomes your primary vision. Do not allow those things that have made you less than what God has designed for you to lead you, define you or control you. Forget it! Put it behind you and make your failures, pains and troubles push you instead of control you.

 

© 2012 Dr Tim McClure

MERRY CHRISTMAS

    “Why are you crying GP” the little voice asked as Aurora rubbed my arm with her caring concern? Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve bring on many emotional moments. The many nostalgic Christmas movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life, Charlie Brown’s Christmas and Home Alone spark such emotional memories while sitting with friends and family during the Holidays.  Crying (again) during the emotional moments and laughing with kids and grand kids make the last six weeks of each year so special. Nothing in the whole world is more important than our Faith, Family and Future.

    Like always, I take these six weeks at year’s end to recap my life, reevaluate what I have or have not done with regard to my purpose and goals.  Like Clarence (the angel in It’s a Wonderful Life) reminded George Bailey (Character Jimmy Stewart played) what life was all about, so has these past few weeks given me an “Angelic” moment.

    Please allow me to share my heart and say to you that there is nothing more important than our Church family to share spiritual moments or worship, prayer and divine experiences with.  We need Jesus, prayer and faith.  I love my family more than life itself.  My family is the most important part of life.  My children and grand children make life worth living and worth becoming better. 

    Take this moment to make a phone call, write a letter, send a card or email to your family and friends and tell them how you feel.  Envelope this time to get alone with God and say a prayer for your family, your church and your future.  Let me wish you a very Merry Christmas.

 

© 2012 Dr Tim McClure