My past does not define me

When you leave an identity that has been all encompassing to you for many years it’s hard at first to let that go or recognise how God will redeem it.  This poem addresses how God works with us to make us new!

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Don’t let your past define you, nor dictate who you are, embrace it as an integral part of your future ministry.

You can say to others take a look at me, I was far from God, I pushed those boundaries hard, but he declined to fail me, his love overpowered me, he took my sin and binned my debt, he never let me down.

So why define myself on past behaviours, thoughts and failings, God’s love for me prevailing?

My past becomes my witness to God’s awesome forgiveness, no matter how far you fall, how desperately you hide from him His love will never dim.

He never stopped calling your name

He never doubted.

He embraced your shame, safe to stay within his loving arms, coming to no harm, accepting of your sin, for you he sent his son and now your past defines who you will become.

Forgiveness I have from my Saviour, so now to challenge my own behaviour and attitude to my past, to forgive myself at last, no longer dwelling on who I was

 I am changed

This knowledge demands a rearranging of my thoughts,

No regret, no shame, no more blame

 I seek now to draw a line, and with God’s help, I will be fine.