Ridgell's Originals

 It is hard to move forward when you spend your time looking backward.  

This is the time of year when people make New Year's resolutions.  Most of these center on things we want to be better.  So we resolve to stop doing certain things.  And we resolve to start doing certain things.  Almost every one of them is related to something we want to change.

So you start your resolution list by focusing on all the things you are not satisfied with.  Looking the wrong direction.

Here is the first resolution.  Let the past go.

Full disclosure:  I stole this idea from the apostle Paul in Philippians 2.  But it is really good advice.

I am Christian so that influences my thinking about everything.  If you too are a Christian, your past is forgiven.  It is as if it never happened.  I know there are consequences to deal with, but forgiveness is real.  Some of your resolutions may involve things that help you stay on a different road than the one you used to travel.  That's fine, but do not dwell on where you have been.

If Satan cannot keep you living your past life, he will make you obsess over the consequences.  He will try to get you to dwell on your previous sin.  Don't let him.   

Live the new you.

But some of you may be thinking that you don't really have a past to forget.  You actually did pretty well last year.  And if you keep looking back at what you did, it will be easy to stop doing in the future.  Rest on your laurels as it were.

Satan will then get you to start thinking about why you may never again do what you did.  So why even try?  Bask in the glory of days gone by.  That way you won't do anything going forward.

So let the past go.  

If it was not want God wanted, then live your forgiveness going forward.

If it was what God wanted, then get started on the next great God adventure.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM