Acts 22:21
“And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.”
When Saul got saved, he had a lot of baggage from his past that seemingly hindered him from ever being used by God in a mighty way. He was known for incarcerating and killing Christians, and to go back to Jerusalem and become a witness for Christ seemed to be out of the question. Many would have excused him for not getting involved in the LORD’s work, but God had another plan.
When Saul was praying in the temple in Jerusalem, God told him to get out of the city because He knew they would not receive his testimony. Saul couldn’t understand God’s plan. God mentioned that He wanted to use Saul, but he did not know how he could be used because of his past. God reminded Saul that He had a plan when He said, “Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” Though it was not possible for Saul to stay in Jerusalem because of his past, God still found a way to use him.
You may find yourself like Saul with a past that seems to follow you and limit your ability to witness. You must understand that God has a plan for you. Though man may deem it impossible for you to be used, you must always remember that God sees further down the road and His plan will always make you useful to Him. If you feel your past is a hindrance to being a testimony for Christ, let me remind you of three things.
First, God’s not concerned with your past. Just like God knew Saul’s past, He knows your past and is not intimidated by what you have done. You simply need to trust God that your past is not too big for God to handle. God is greater than your past, and you must trust that He can still use you.
Second, your past will become a tool for the future. Saul didn’t run from his past, but he used it to witness to others about Christ. Everywhere he went, he told the story about how he got saved on the road to Damascus. Your past can be the most powerful tool you have in witnessing to others. When they see what the power of Christ has done in your life, they will not be able to deny that He can save them as well. You can either run from your past, or you can use it as a tool to be a greater witness for Christ.
Third, you must accept your past and your future if you want God to use you. Just like Saul couldn’t change what he had done in the past, neither can you. Your past is done and you must accept it if you want God to use you. Moreover, you must accept the future God has planned for you. God cannot use you as long as you turn away from His plan of moving you to a place where you can be a testimony for Him.
Friend, there is no past that is too great for God to overcome. His grace is great enough to overcome your past and to use it for His glory. You don’t have to be proud of your past, but you must accept it for what it is before it can become a tool in God’s hand. Your past will either be the obstacle that you use to not do anything for Christ, or it will become the tool that God uses to do great works for Him. It is up to you! I encourage you to trust God and use the tool of your past for His glory.