Living Down the Past - Conclusion

Living Down the Past - Philippians 3:7-16 – Conclusion - Practically speaking, living down the past necessitates internal and spiritual resolve to strive for a brighter future. The gospels describe the Lord’s determination to carry His message the masses, gathering in Jerusalem for the perennial Passover celebration, as flint. His decision to end the public ministry in the City of David and place of the Temple was as firm as a mountain of stone. I suspect that there is very little chance in accomplishing one’s heartfelt dreams and lifelong goals unless one possesses this kind of inner fortitude. Of necessity, one must make peace with the past.

Had Paul continually dwelt on the horrible sins of his past, spiritual and existential paralysis would result. He would waste his life in regret and guilt. Instead, he finds a way to transform his past crimes into assets. The book of Acts records three instances in which Paul shares his testimony with the purpose of encouraging someone to salvation in Christ. Paul does not tolerate the devil’s periodic attacks through reminding Paul that he once persecuted the Church. Paul, rather, proactively and humbly acknowledges his past deeds. In so doing, he testifies to Almighty God’s love, goodness and mercy which change a murderer into a missionary. While Paul refuses to reject his past, he recalls it as a way of helping others come into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

The great apostle turns his face like flint toward the goal of the high calling in Christ. He does for Christ in three missionary journeys what he once did in serving the Pharisees, scribes and chief priests. Paul practices resilience. He harnesses the hard lessons of his past and uses that knowledge, wisdom and creative energy to spread the gospel and expand the kingdom of Christ. Rubber bands demonstrate the spiritual characteristic of resilience. Stretched to their outer limit, they possess the inherent ability to return to their original shape. In difficult circumstances, past and present, we can salvage the diamonds in the rough. As we mine our trials and tribulations, they make us richer spiritually speaking. A former persecutor of the Church, lawyer and theologian who became a missionary is the best person to tell intellectual skeptics about veracity claims of Christ. A person in recovery is the ideal person to tell others who suffer about the real meaning of life. In both cases, the missionary and the person in recovery offers hope to a possible convert through the example of pursuing a new way of living with rock solid determination.

Essentially, the past must not determine the future per se. Negative memories erupt within one’s mind like an unexpected squall at sea. The useless emotions of regret, guilt and resentment appear on the horizon of the mind like dark clouds piercing a summer afternoon’s beauty. Yet, you have the challenge of redirecting those thoughts to a useful purpose. The daily and persistent practice of channeling past reflections toward a brighter future empowers you to live down the past. Again, you cannot judge yourself today by who you were yesterday; neither should you allow others to do so.

In conclusion, the story of an anxious sailor captures the practical essence of living down the past. A violent storm breaks out upon the water. The ship suffers damage as the wind, waves and other elements batter it. Most of the crew begins to fear for their lives. They share their anxiety about the possibility of death and demise. This sailor, adjacent to the wheel, feels similarly. But, he looks over to the captain to see if he, too, is afraid that all will be lost. To this sailor’s great surprise, the captain looks back, smiles and pats him on the back. Then, the captain leaves and goes above to the deck. Afterwards, another sailor comes to the one near the wheel and inquires about his level of anxiety. The sailor replies, “I’m not afraid. I looked at the captain and he smiled at me.”

If you truly encounter the “Captain of the Lord’s hosts,” then you know the freedom from fear that the sailor feels. If you see the Captain, then you know your past cannot permanently imprison you. The smile of the Captain, in that story, is reminiscent of James Cleveland’s immortal gospel song, “God has smiled on me, He has set me free. God has smiled in me. He has been good me.”

Flashes from the past cannot erase the eternal grace of Almighty God. No matter the depths to which we may have sunk, the enduring unmerited favor and unfailing love of our heavenly Father enables us to redefine our lives. In so doing, we like the apostle Paul, learn to live down the past.