My Past

It feels like a lifetime ago when I was in student ministry. I have some very fond memories from that season of my life. I was in full-time ministry for 20 years. I then pivoted into Real Estate. I still have some rich and rewarding relationship today that came from my years in ministry. I have a huge heart for people in ministry and the struggles that they often deal with. I have told my wife often that I’ve found new ways to serve people outside of ministry in my new role as a REALTOR.

I grew up in a small town in Kentucky referred to as Roley – there was no town charter to my knowledge. The mailing address was Casey Creek, Kentucky. I remember that we didn’t have a mailbox for a lot of years because we just went to the little post office and the postmaster, Ed Walker would hand our mail through the window. I thought it was like this everywhere. We were a bit behind the times, but we didn’t know. My family was “broke” most of the time, but I didn’t know it. We felt blessed to have a wonderful and healthy family. I’m not sure how my parents pulled of the things they did.

The story of Jephthah really struck me this morning. He couldn’t help the situation he was born into, but with the Lords help, he made a great comeback. Check this out…..

¹ Now Jephthah of Gilead was a great warrior. He was the son of Gilead, but his mother was a prostitute. ² Gilead’s wife also had several sons, and when these half brothers grew up, they chased Jephthah off the land. “You will not get any of our father’s inheritance,” they said, “for you are the son of a prostitute.” ³ So Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob. Soon he had a band of worthless rebels following him.

⁴ At about this time, the Ammonites began their war against Israel. ⁵ When the Ammonites attacked, the elders of Gilead sent for Jephthah in the land of Tob. ⁶ The elders said, “Come and be our commander! Help us fight the Ammonites!”

⁷ But Jephthah said to them, “Aren’t you the ones who hated me and drove me from my father’s house? Why do you come to me now when you’re in trouble?”

⁸ “Because we need you,” the elders replied. “If you lead us in battle against the Ammonites, we will make you ruler over all the people of Gilead.”

⁹ Jephthah said to the elders, “Let me get this straight. If I come with you and if the Lord gives me victory over the Ammonites, will you really make me ruler over all the people?”

¹⁰ “The Lord is our witness,” the elders replied. “We promise to do whatever you say.” (Judges 11:1-10 NLT)

This passage caused me to reflect on a lot of principles that have really guided my life for the past several years and I’m still leaning into these principles today.

1. My past doesn’t define me, but it can be the making of me.
2. God doesn’t waste hardship and struggle; He helps me grow through it.
3. My life today is the culmination and combination of my whole past up to this point.
4. My past can’t retake the ground I’ve gained if I don’t give it permission.
5. My past can make be “better” or “bitter” and the difference is “I”.

I am determined to let the Light of the World shine through me as I walk and live out my faith. I am certainly not perfect, but I’m definitely forgiven. I am drenched in grace and mercy that I don’t deserve.

Pressing On!

Dwayne