:: this post is a part of the 3.31 IMPACT series ::

If you would like to be encouraged further in living a live a life of impact, grab a copy of Impact My Life: Biblical Mentoring Simplified.

Focus

2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Decision

Have you ever done something you weren’t proud of?  Something you wish you could erase from your past?  We have all been there.  At some point in our lives we’ve acted on impulse, acted of our flesh and made a decision that wasn’t the right one.  Maybe it was a harsh word that was spoken or an act of impurity.

We all have things we’re not proud of.  We know we can’t undo these wrongs, so what can we do with the guilt? 

Just as 2 Timothy 2:2 indicates, we must pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace while honestly evaluating what you’ve done for the purpose of learning from your mistakes:

What have I learned as a result of this experience?

Is it a situation where I can share with others the blessing I received from going through it?

How did God work in my life as a result?

How can I take the brokenness that is in me and turn it around to bless others?

There is an amazing and indescribable gift that God has bestowed on His children: the gift of forgiveness.  God forgives and wipes our slates clean.  How amazing is that!  But, we must come to Him pure of heart and confess our convictions to Him.  As humans we look for earthly things to fill us up and satisfy our needs.  It’s funny how they only satisfy us for a short time isn’t it?

[Tweet “God’s love is the only true thing that can satisfy our souls, our hearts, and our minds.”]

God takes our experiences and moments that we are not proud of and brings them to a place of beauty.  He challenges us to not be defined by the decisions or mistakes we have made in the past.  He wants us to share with others the lessons we have learned and lead by example.  He brings us in, closer to Him and shows us His grace.  His mercy.  His forgiveness.

Surrender

Dear Heavenly Father, what a wonderful and gracious God you are!  Lord help me to take the things that I have done in my life that have not been pleasing to you and help me see how you did a great work in me through those times.  You have made me a new creation through your gift of love and forgiveness.  Thank you for your gift that can never be repaid, your son Jesus.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Reflection

What are some ways that you could share your past brokenness with other believers and non-believers that help glorify the Kingdom of God?