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In II Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Paul writes to the believers at Corinth: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

We live in a world where our past matters big time.  For example, a criminal record will close many, perhaps most, employment opportunities and prevent travel to other countries.  Poor work habits with previous employers will also impact future employment opportunities.  Careless words and actions live forever on the internet with unpredictable impact.  But how remarkably different are things with God and the future he offers to those who are in Christ.

Because of the price paid by our Lord at the cross believers can have their sins forgiven, know that their past is behind them, and look forward to God’s plan for them in the future.

Many years ago, a Christian man in Florida decided to run for the position of Sheriff in his county.  His first campaign rally was quite discouraging but on the way to his car a woman met him, prophesied over him, said he would win the office but he must promise her to start prison ministries in the county’s jails because it was through a prison ministry she met the Lord and experienced the life change that only he can bring.

Well, he did win the office, prison ministries were started, and they are now well into the thousands who have made commitments to Christ through those ministries.  The woman’s past may have negatively impacted her future in our secular world but did not prevent her from inspiring and challenging others in her new walk with the Lord.  The results are quite amazing!

I think it safe to say that all of us have portions of our past where we long for a ‘do-over’.  That is not going to happen and it’s easy to focus on those aspects of our past, waste time, and emotional stress thinking about what might have been.  As believers and followers of Jesus our focus needs to be on the future we have with him. Every new day is a new opportunity for a ‘do’ which is far more positive and meaningful than wasting time longing for a ‘do over’.

                                                                                                     Pastor Dave