I’m Not Who I Was

⁶ Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
       for they are from of old.

 ⁷ Remember not the sins of my youth
       and my rebellious ways;
       according to your love remember me,
       for you are good, O LORD.

 ⁸ Good and upright is the LORD;
       therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

 ⁹ He guides the humble in what is right
       and teaches them his way.

 ¹⁰ All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
       for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

 ¹¹ For the sake of your name, O LORD,
       forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

 ¹² Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?
       He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

Psalm 25:6-12

As I gaze back across my journey thus far, I rejoice as I see the valleys He has carried me through, and the mountain tops He has set my feet on (Psalm 18:32-33).  I also see the wilderness where I’ve wandered each time I’ve gone astray.  Sometimes my detour was only a short one, as I quickly returned to His path, but other times I spent many nights in the wilderness.  I’m reminded of His compassion and mercy in those times.  Like many before me, when I cried out to Him from the wilderness, he heard my cry and led me back to the path He had marked out for me.  Though scars of consequence may remain, He was faithful each time to bind my wounds and carry me out (Psalm 147:3). 

I’ve not completed my journey, Lord willing, I have many mountain tops and valleys yet to experience.  I’m thankful as I look back, that there is always a forward progression.  He is daily drawing us nearer to Him, as we in obedience plod forward.  Sometimes it feels as though we are sprinting, other times crawling.  But as His children seeking Him, we are always progressing (Philippians 3:12-14).

Thankfully I’m not who I was 20 years ago, 20 months ago, or even 20 days ago.  He is daily teaching, leading and transforming me into who He wants me to be.  If you are my brother or sister in Christ, I know the same is true of you.  So let’s encourage one another in our journey, remembering we are not who we were, and letting go of the notion that we know one another’s hearts (1 Corinthians 4:5).  God transformed a piece of mine this morning, Lord willing He’ll transform another tomorrow. 

Next time you see me, remember, I’m not who I was.  I’m washed in the blood of Jesus, forgiven anew just this morning.  Search for His new, transforming work in me, and encourage me as I press on in my journey.  I’ll do the same for you.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:23-25