"Running From the Past"

Reflections4Life™ January 20, 2019

“Running From the Past”

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience … But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved …” Ephesians 2: 1-2, 4-5

Scripture Contemplation: Ezekiel 18; Matthew 9; 26; Romans 8 … 

We spend an awful lot of time running from our past or trying to outrun our sins. Of which, neither can we do. We can never outrun our past or our sins but we can definitely learn the lessons we need in order to grow, leave our past in the past, where it belongs, repent of our sins, forgive ourselves, and accept God’s forgiveness and move on—freely because of forgiveness—to the life that God has ordained for us.

I decree that this week’s Reflections is a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow God to fill your heart and soul with His very presence this week. Lay to rest your past and every misstep, failure, or mistake. Take the lessons, learn them well, and be open to our Heavenly Father and with all that He desires to bless your life.

Are you not tired, yet? Are the circumstances and situations not tiring enough? Does the truth really hurt that much that you are willing to sacrifice the blessings and healing of God in your life? Nothing, Beloved, is more freeing and liberating than accepting the will of God for your life and walking in it with confidence and certainty that not only has God forgiven you, He has freed you to move forward and walk in the fullness of the blessings that He has ordained for your life.

Yet, here we are; so many running from our pasts and the sins we have committed; too guilty and ashamed of ourselves that we can’t even fathom forgiving ourselves, let alone God forgiving us. Yet, that is exactly what the Father has done, and we often fail to do—forgive ourselves and move on.

Many cannot forgive themselves and move on, or stop running if they are not willing to first confront their past, repent of their sins, and listen to what God is speaking to their hearts; receiving it as truth and healing. Beloveds, we do not have to be afraid of anything or anyone; especially God our Father, our Creator. The One that knows every detail about who we were and who we are, today, in His presence and receiving of His love.

It is truly hard to and impossible to outrun one’s self. No matter where you go, there you are—with you. However, the great news is that God is there with you as well. The first thing we have to do is be honest. Yes. God knows everything already, so the confession is not so much about Him, as it is about us. How we see ourselves, to forgive ourselves, and to take the power and ammunition away from the enemy. There is no doubt that if given the opportunity, Satan will use any morsel he can to make you doubt your choices and who you are as a person, as a child of God. This is one of the reasons why we must stop running and start confronting because it renders the enemy’s attack against us mute.

The things we often run from are the things that hurt the most, but hold the most insight into where we need to go and what we need to do. We may have messed up and broken many things in our past but every day God grants us to see is a blessing; waiting for us to receive all that He has ordained for our lives on this earth, and not just in heaven.

There is a whole lot of life to be lived. Many experiences to be had; things to see, do, and feel. We cannot allow who we once were, the sins we have asked forgiveness for, and the taunts of the enemy make us forget who we are and whose we are. We are children of the Most High King, who has promised and granted us eternal life with Him, while simultaneously defeating the enemy for all eternity.

Ezekiel 18:22 None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Stop running from your past; from what hurt you, form the sins committed. Instead, start running to the promises of God for your life. Run into His outstretched arms where there are forgiveness, comfort, peace, joy, healing and all the strength you need to stop running and start living. You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing.

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.