I once saw a poster which said, "Anyone can make a mistake. That is why pencils have erasers." For over a decade I taught young people 16 to 24 years at a vocational training school. I found the work to be both challenging and rewarding. Many of these young people had dropped out of school and had not experienced much success. For one reason or another the public educational system had failed to educate them.

Each and every week new students would arrive from all backgrounds, religions, races, and parts of our country. Everyone was given a chance to start a fresh and new life without having to worry about their background or past. Likewise, Christ forgives all of our sins and gives us a clean slate when we accept Him. The students were encouraged to set goals and strive to reach these goals. As Christians, do we look forward to what God has for us? Do we have a clear goal or purpose in mind?

The main emphasis when dealing with these young people was not where they had been, but where they were headed. Many struggled with experiences that took place in their pasts. Bad memories, which included: gang activities, drugs, lustful and often painful past relationships. So many bad memories. Every day millions in our country, including many Christians, struggle with the pain of trying to forget a brutal past. Only when we trust in God who has given His Son for our salvation can we be healed. The memories may never go away, for the past is part of who we are. However, God's grace is sufficient and He will see us through one day at a time.

The Apostle Paul had a rather interesting past. Paul or rather Saul had persecuted Christians. Do you think Paul could be used by God today if it was up to many of us judgmental Christians? I believe there would be echoing comments like, "Saul cannot be used by God. He is too bad. Look at his past. He does not have the qualifications to serve in our church." However, we must never forget that all Christ requires is a vessel willing to be used. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on our hearts.

We do know God had plans for Paul's life and he was chosen by God. In Acts 9:15-16 we read, "But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.'" Paul was constantly reminded of his past and his reputation preceded him. In Acts 9:13-14 we read, "'Lord,' Ananias answered, 'I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.'" God used Paul mightily; however, he also had to suffer for the cause of Christ.

Do we deal mainly with where we are headed and what the future holds or are our pasts holding us back from what God has in store for us? One of Satan's greatest tools of attack is to try and cause Christians to dwell on their pasts. God is sensitive and aware of our pasts, but He chooses to leave the past in the past. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" We are made new through Christ.

My prayer is that we would take comfort in the words found in Hebrews 8:12, "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." And also those found in Isaiah 43:25, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more." Amen.