"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
It's been a while since I've written here.
Life happened. Growth happened. Healing happened. And honestly — some wrestling happened too. If I'm being completely transparent, I'm still wrestling.
I've been in a season of spiritual wilderness — wondering, searching, and at times feeling a little… no, a lot lost. There were moments when I found myself pleading with God to restore the joy and excitement I once had for doing what I believe He called me to do. I knew the calling was real, but the desire and motivation to continue just weren't there.
What made it even harder was realizing that just as soon as I finally became obedient — moving forward with something God had placed on my heart almost a year earlier — the enemy reared his ugly head and threw everything he had to try to stop me. But that's his job, and unfortunately, he's very good at it.
When Satan sees you trying to do the work of the Lord, he doesn't sit back quietly. He becomes irate. He goes into full attack mode. And if you're not wearing the whole Armor of God, standing firm becomes incredibly difficult. In full transparency, I allowed him to be successful — for a season.
But as we step into a brand-new year, I felt God nudging me back.
Back to this space.
Back to this assignment.
Back to reminding myself — and you — of a powerful truth:
What's behind us does not define what's ahead of us.
Seeing Yourself the Way God Sees You
Although I'm saved and growing spiritually, I'll be the first to admit that there are moments when I still find myself defining who I am by who I used to be. Old mindsets. Old mistakes. Old versions of myself that God has already redeemed — but somehow, I still revisit them.
Lately, my prayer has been simple, yet deeply personal:
"God, help me see myself the way You see me."
As I've been reading and reflecting, one message continues to rise to the surface:
Press past your past.
Press Past Your Past
God's Word repeatedly reminds us that as believers in Christ, we are not meant to live bound by what once was. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us plainly that "anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun." Yet living in that truth sometimes requires intentional effort, surrender, and trust.
Scripture is full of people who had every reason to remain stuck in their pasts — but chose instead to step into God's calling for their lives. Moses, Joseph, Rahab, Ruth… even Paul. None of them had perfect beginnings. Some carried painful histories. Some had very public failures. Yet each one made the decision — sometimes daily — to move forward in obedience rather than backward in regret.
What's incredible to think about is this: If they hadn't pressed past their pasts, our lives would look drastically different today. Many of the verses we cling to. Many of the stories that give us hope. Many of the examples that strengthen our faith — all came from people who refused to let their past disqualify their future.
And the same is true for us.
Your Challenge — and Your Invitation
Who might God reach through you when you finally stop holding onto who you used to be and fully step into who He has called you to be?
There is amazing impact on the other side of healing.
There is purpose waiting on the other side of surrender.
There is freedom on the other side of pressing past.
If there is something in your past that you're still carrying — something that keeps whispering "you're not enough," "you've messed up too much," or "you're not qualified" — this is your reminder: that chapter is not your conclusion.
Don't let your past hold you back.
Don't let it silence your voice.
Don't let it stop you from impacting others.
So many lives — including your own — can be changed when we decide to move forward in faith.
This year, let's live the life He has called us to live.
Let's walk boldly into what's ahead.
And together, let's press past our pasts.
I'm back — and I truly believe God is just getting started.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for reminding us that our past does not define our future. Thank You for new beginnings, new mercies, and new strength for today. Help us release the guilt, shame, fear, and regret that we have been carrying — things You already nailed to the cross. Teach us to see ourselves the way You see us: redeemed, chosen, and made new in Christ. As we step into this new year, give us courage to move forward in obedience, faith to trust You completely, and boldness to walk in our calling. We choose today to press past our past and embrace the life You have prepared for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."Philippians 3:13–14 (NLT)
Your Story in HIStory Reflection
Ponder This
- 1.
Where have you allowed past experiences, failures, or seasons of wilderness to shape your identity more than God's truth — and what would it look like to trust Him with your next step forward?
If you are determined to press past your past and step into this new season God has for you with full confidence and faith, leave a comment below. I'll stand in prayer with you!
Today's Declaration
"My past is not my conclusion. I am redeemed, chosen, and made new in Christ. Today I choose to press past what was and walk boldly into everything God has prepared for me."