4.05.2006

learn from, not dwell on

pastor Matthew gave a message Sunday night that encouraged me more than i expected. he talked a lot about where we've been as TN, where we are now, and where we're headed in the future. it's always good to be reminded of what's in the past - not to dwell on it, but to learn from it, and to see how far you've come since then.

i think that's a good principle for life as well, beyond just TN. maybe that's why it was so encouraging to me. it seems to be way too easy to dwell on the past and all the things that we've done wrong, or could've been done better. but that's not God's heart for us. yes, he wants us to learn from the past, but he doesn't want us to punish ourselves over anything done less than perfect.

pastor Matthew had written a paragraph on the subject that he shared with TN that said it well in few words:

"not letting the past define us, nor the future scare us, but embracing the present and all that God has taught us and all that God is going to do in us, let us live now with passion for our king. let us not wait to have impact, but let us throw off all that hinders and live for him now!!! today is the day. now is the time. it is our turn now. it's time to give our lives away!"

1 comment:

Jackie said...

Another similar encouraging statement that I have heard and held to my heart is "Your Past Does Not Equal Your Future".

Also, wonderful news about Matt's new job! I know that must be blessing to you both.