The Rear View Mirror
One day, while sitting at a traffic light, I looked in my rear view mirror and noticed that it was a bit blurry. Actually, I noticed the blurriness sometime before, but for some reason it caught my attention that day and I felt the need to address it. I reached into the glove compartment, grabbed a paper towel and proceeded to clean the mirror. After a few wipes, to my surprise, the view was much different. The residue was gone and the reflection was clear. I was so overwhelmed by what just happened. Why did it take me so long to do this? I'm not sure, but in that moment I felt the Holy Spirit impress upon my heart that the moment was definitely a teachable moment.
In Matthew 13 the disciples asked Jesus why He spoke to the crowd in parables. Jesus replied, "For this reason I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand…For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them." (Matthew 13:13;15)
There were many in the crowd who missed the message that was meant to bring forth spiritual healing because they were closed off the truth (that could set them free).
Stop. Before you read on take moment and conduct a quick heart check. Is there unidentified residue that you have possible suppressed, avoided or just overlooked that has clouded your perspective of your past. What I've learned over the course of my life is that having a clear perceptive of your past is just as important as having a clear perspective of your future, if not more. Having a blurry perspective can keep you bound to shame and guilt, or it could be something that keeps you bound to pride and an un-repenting heart, all of which can hinder how you perceive or approach your future.
Ask God is there anything that has distorted or clouded your perspective of your past. Ask Him to reveal any hidden or suppressed residue and then pray for truth and clarity. Now be mindful that He may reveal some things right away or overtime. However long it may take, allow God to take you through the process.
As you go through this process, I want to bring to your attention that as your perspective shifts into focus, your heart will adjust accordingly, don't respond to feelings or the lack of. Because my eyes had become accustomed to the blurred and filthy view, it took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the new perceptive.
It is not God's desire that any of us would perish in any aspect. Life has a way of throwing us of course and keeping us off of the path of truth which leads to spiritual healing. Your past does not have the power over you, unless you give it power. John 8:31-32 reads, "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Take a hold of God's word and allow Him to give you a new and clear perspective of your past. Healing awaits!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Today I ask that you shine the light of your love in my life and reveal any hidden residue of my past. My heart has become calloused to the pain and sin in my life and ask that you come in and heal my heart. Removed the scales from eyes and give me new eyes to see. Search my heart and reveal any manner of darkness and create in me a clean heart and give your Spirit. Today with an open and receptive heart, I choose to respond to the light of your love.
In Jesus' might name I pray, Amen
