The Past Is the Past

Going through my art files I found this watercolor I did some years ago.  It was a fun project layering colors over and over and over one another.  I used some masking techniques and splattering.  Each new layer was a surprise. The center of the piece was reserved for last, but it was also a part of the whole.

The piece reminded me of this scripture, "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new."  (2 Corinthians 5:17).  We do become new in Christ.  There is a refreshing, a washing, and a filling of God's spirit.  We can rise above our past and begin a new life.

But as time passes, we tend to forget the second part of this scripture, 'old things are passed away.' Too often we let our past beat us up.  Our flesh begins to think we can't possibly be freed from all that old lifestyle.  We must still have consequences to pay.  How can we be of service to God when we have the bitterness of our past?  We think we are unworthy.

But not in God's eyes.  He has waited for us to be at this place since the beginning of time.  He is ready to fill us with his gifts and purpose.  He has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12) and he remembers them no more (Hebrews 8:12)  The past has shaped us into who we are, all the layers of life's events, trials, happiness, tears, successes, and yes, even sins.  But there is nothing to prevent us from being this new creature and being fruitful for the Lord (2 Peter 1:9).

With our face set toward the Son, we can become all things new.  You have many new layers to paint, and God holds the brush!

God Bless,
Laura