Redemption and Restoration
Posted: April 08, 2015
As we move past the Easter season, we have a whole new chance at life. That’s what it’s all about. It’s not about the bunny.
But I often run into someone still living in the past. They’re beating themselves up over mistakes they’ve made, or things they’ve done.
I’ve been this guy, so I know what it feels like. My pastor, Troy Warner, once said something to me that really helped. “You’ve been forgiven, now you need to forgive yourself.”
When we’ve screwed up and know it, sometimes we can be our own worst judge and jury. I’m not talking about people who refuse to take responsibility. That’s a different story.
Sometimes the consequences of our actions can be difficult. Sometimes they’re permanent. But life still has to go on.
You can’t do anything about yesterday. It’s over. It’s in the past. All you can do is start living today.
Even the Bible talks about it: “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” The whole New Testament is about second chances. So take em already.
Make no mistake. Sometimes we need to change, but change is possible. And something great lies ahead, if you do.
No matter what you’ve done, or where you’ve come from, turn around and put the past behind you. If you made some mistakes, fix them. Get back in the saddle.
If you fell off your diet (and who doesn’t?), start it again today. If you’ve gotten out of the habit of getting to the gym, get moving.
If your mistakes were of a more serious kind, there are still some actions you can take, moving forward. Make it your mission to figure out what those things are.
Even a small step in the right direction means something. That little step forward means you’re no longer going the wrong way. It also means you’re one step closer to your goal.
Now, take another step. Then take another. Once you’ve put some road behind you, your confidence will grow and restoration will be on the way.
Experts say it takes 21 times to build a habit. Personally, I think it probably takes longer. If we’ve been doing something a long time, those habits can be ingrained pretty deep.
So don’t let off the gas. Keep pressing on toward the goal. “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Your future depends on it. So does your restoration.