past-to-future-lrgGod wants to move you out of your broken past and into a better future.  As you cooperate with God’s process of redeeming your past, you need to honestly evaluate your life so you can redirect your course according to God’s design.

Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).  The path to freedom always leads through the truth, even the truth about your past.  The apostle Paul examined his past, making an honest review of his earthly accomplishments, his wrongs, mistakes, gains, and his losses.  It was from this broad perspective that he wrote, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be” (Philippians 3:12).

Freedom from the past also involves facing up to times when others have harmed you and turning them over to God.  In a letter to Timothy, Paul even states the truth that someone has hurt him, but he leaves the matter in God’s hands.

When you hand over your past to God, with the prayer that He work it out for the best according to His will, you can finally let go of it.  Then you can redirect your course toward a brighter future and help others to do the same through the lessons you’ve learned.