At the urging of my wife and another friend, I recently joined the 21st century and set up account on Facebook.  From that moment to today, the list of friends, and the memories associated with those friends, have been flooding my thoughts.  With some exceptions, most of the people that are currently on my friends list are people from my past.

The past is a funny thing.  On one hand, it is kind of like looking at an old photo.  What I mean by that is that the memory is one dimensional in that it is just a memory.  On the other hand, there can be emotions associated with the past that alter the memory from a one dimensional image to a vivid three dimensional image.  Sometimes, especially in my case, it is the emotions associated with the memory that get to us.  Can anyone else relate to this?

In thinking about this, I am reminded of the Apostle Paul's words in his letter to the Philippians.  It is there that we find the following:

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

I can say this because I believe it to be true with all of my heart.  The memories are just that - memories.  Those past events of my life do not define who I am anymore, my life in Christ does.  Are there things that haunt me?  Things that I regret?  Sure.  I would be lying if I said otherwise.  I can still see and feel those past images - even more so now that I am rummaging through these past memories.  What I know for sure, however, is that the past has no hold over me.  Today, and forevermore, I walk with my Savior and He, and only He, carries my real identity.

A word of caution: not everyone has yet accepted the freedom which comes from being and living in and through Christ.  For some, the memories have left an imprint that must be processed prior to moving forward.  For my brothers and sisters who are stuck, I offer you this encouragement: Christ can and will free you.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Now, bring on those memories...

Your brother in Christ,

Jim