I saw a statistic somewhere referring to the amount of food Americans throw away each day. Not quoting here, but it was saying something to the effect of what's in U.S. household trash cans would be considered full course meals in several countries. Not too hard to believe; "greatest country on earth" has always been tagged as gluttonous. It's almost as if waste is a part of American culture. But just think, what you cleared off your plate (maybe to much was on your plate to start with) into the garbage fed a kid...maybe even one living just a few miles away.
We know this. Yet, we continue to toss things away; discarding what others desperately need. And it isn't just food or materials that goes to the dump as we see it useless to us. Sometimes it's our own identities that are trashed. We throw out some of our life experiences because they revive painful memories and create emotional turmoil, so we don't need it. But we selfishly neglect that [tastefully and wisely] revealing the hurt may steer someone away from experiencing the tragedy you've overcome. We underestimate our resilience and even worse, we disregard the possible plan of God for us to use our...trash. In other words, we discredit our testimony because we keep it hidden.
Imagine Moses as he was totally distraught about murdering an Egyptian guard who was brutalizing a fellow Israelite (Exodus 2:14). During his 'burning bush' experience, he was ordered to go back to the same area and free the entire slave population. His heart must have instantly gained 100 pounds; "God, you're taking me back to where I killed? I'm a wanted fugitive there!" Yet it was Moses' willingness to confront his past failure, learn from it, and allow the Lord to guide him into new success in an old location. Or picture Peter, sternly denying Jesus at His time of need (Mark 14:72). Days later, with his whole being filled with guilt, he was able to accept one of his most embarrassing moments and move forward. The result: hundreds of people became followers of Jesus Christ and were secured in the glorious everlasting. The Word of God is filled with examples of self-proclaimed losers turned into mighty champions. What's the difference between them and you?
Is it possible that we are constantly reminded of the former pain because the Lord believes we are the perfect guide for someone else? Or is your current struggle so intense that a world who doesn't know about it needs to know about it? My friends, we understand God is lighting quick to forgive...but He doesn't erase our memory. Why then would a merciful, loving God do that? Because He needs you to remember what it takes to win.
Everything about you that is broken is priceless...
Peace
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