The Past Does Not Determine The Future

[RV]

I remember that growing up in the 70's was not easy. It seemed that every time something positive would happen, things would change and the thing that was positive would be old, obsolete or no longer exist.

I can remember riding my Schwinn Stingray bike with the wind in my hair and my friend at my side. There was a little store a couple of blocks away that we would frequent. Mowing lawns was hot work and an ice cold bottle of pop really tasted good. Taking a break and talking to Harold the proprietor who loved kids and had a couple of his own was a way to pass the hot summer afternoons. It never seemed to matter whether we had money in our pockets or not. We were always welcome. Harold became sort of a mentor to us and his opinion meant a lot. I can remember working at the store dusting and sweeping for an ice cold bottle of pop. We were thrilled with the "pay" for our "work".

I can remember where the pop was kept. There was a horizontal cooler with sliding doors. Inside were seemingly hundreds of bottles all surrounded by water and ice. Virtually any flavor you could ever want was available and ice cold. A cold bottle of pop and a Hostess Suzy Q was a recipe for euphoria as far as we were concerned. Once the bottle was opened, there was a bit of "smoke" that would waft out of the bottle as ice crystals formed on the top of the soda. That first swallow of pop had a bite to it and was amazing! It seemed like that moment would last forever.

Nothing ever stays the same and change is a part of life. We grew up, the store closed and my friend moved out of state. I learned to drive and sold my Schwinn bicycle. The kindly man who owned the store passed away and as the years went by we moved on. It wasn't long before I was graduating high school and enrolling in college. I met my wife, got married and had our first born child. To say that I loved Fatherhood would be an understatement.

The Bible tells us that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The message of God is exactly the same today as it was when I was a child. Eternal life hasn't changed, heaven hasn't changed and God's standard hasn't changed. Salvation is still available to all regardless of race, color, ethnicity or Socio-economic standing.

One of the things that I am so thankful for is that the Holy Spirit is also still active and freely available to all who accept Christ. Your past does not determine your future. The Holy Spirit resides in all followers of Christ. God's promises are still relevant and still valid even today.

The thief on the cross had lived a less than exemplary life. He was a criminal and was crucified for his crimes. He asks Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus tells him that he will be with Him in "paradise" that very day.

Saul was a murderous, scheming and despicable man yet, God was able to turn him around. Saul, who murdered Christians and prided himself on his reign of terror became mild mannered Paul. There are many accounts in scripture where God can use any situation for His glory.