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Pondering the past can make us feel that our present life would be better if we could relive our lives and cancel our failures and sins.

I knew a minister who committed serious moral sins that disqualified him from continuing as pastor. He had to find a way to support his family, which he did by selling insurance. He desired, above all, to return to the relationship he had previously with the Lord and his church. He was a modern-day prodigal son and wanted to relive his life.

Despite the sin and shame, he found that his compassionate heavenly Father led him into other unexpectedly effective ministries that blessed many and built the kingdom of God. He served his Father victoriously for the remainder of his life, ministering to many churches.

We should consider several questions when we ponder whether it would be wise to relive our lives if we could. What if the things we regret were precisely what was needed to perfect us and develop a better future? Think of Job.

Or what if our clay was so flawed that the heavenly Father had to permit complete failures to start over the molding process for His intended design for us? And who can see the big picture of how human behavior fits together except Almighty God?

If we never failed or experienced tragedy, we would never experience the new things and relationships God’s grace gives us after our losses. Our present is the product of past choices and experiences.

Before the world’s creation, God knew that we would sin, sometimes in gross ways. Still, He chose repentance as a part of our preparation for heaven. Remember that God gives love because of grace, not an unblemished record.

How can pondering the past move you forward into God’s future?

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and Pexels.)

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