Background Check

When I decided to become a licensed real estate agent in Georgia 18 years ago, I had to retrieve a “criminal background check” on myself to make sure there were not issues with criminal behavior in my past.  Other than a few speeding tickets, I knew that my background was fine.  I began to wonder about others whose history might be a bit speckled with some dumb decisions or bad behavior. I’ve tried to teach my kids the importance of decisions made today and how they affect the future.

Esther was a young girl of Jewish decent living in the Persian stronghold of Suza. Her family had been among the families exiled when Nebuchadnezzar had captured Jerusalem from King Jehoiachin years earlier.  She was likely a second or third generation of Jewish background and it was not noticeable with her appearance or her speech.  She is part of a harem for King Xerxes as he is choosing a new queen because the previous queen disrespected him.  Esther has made it through a lengthly process to become chosen as the next queen.  She has to be excited and nervous at the same time. Check this out….

19 Even after all the young women had been transferred to the second harem[e] and Mordecai had become a palace official, 20 Esther continued to keep her family background and nationality a secret. She was still following Mordecai’s directions, just as she did when she lived in his home. (Esther 2:19-20 NLT)

Her huge secret will come to light in the proper time, but for now, she has to keep quiet.  I sometimes think about secrets. I’ve lived in Georgia since 1986, but I’m a Kentucky boy by birth.  I love the great state of Kentucky, but home is now in Georgia. All my kids were born here, except my Nica son. I’m thankful that people don’t treat me differently since I’m from another state.   I’m thankful that people don’t treat me differently even though I’ve done things in my past that were wrong and I’m ashamed. 

I’m thankful that the Lord doesn’t hold my background or my past against me. He has forgiven me and given me a “clean background” – even past speeding tickets!  I don’t have to be concerned or worried about my past catching up to me in God’s Economic System. I’m forgiven. I’m restored. My heart is new and renewed. 

A background check of my life will reveal that I gave my life to the Lord as a young kid and stumbled badly in my high school years and eventually started walking with the Lord. There has been a lot of life lived over the years and still some dumb decisions and colossal mistakes. I’m thankful for His Patience and His Faithfulness to me even when I was unfaithful to Him.  My background is now clean!

Pressing On!

Dwayne