Rumination

This weekend, my Pastor delivered a message geared specifically to those who struggle with letting go of past hurts and issues so that they can experience the freedom and abundant life God offers through Christ. The topic has been cause for hours of rumination--you know, cud chewing.

For those who are unfamiliar with the practice of our bovine friends, they regurgitate their food and chew on it again before final digestion.

The deal is, I want to digest this subject completely, once and for all. I want to know that I know that there is no possibility that I have baggage that hasn't been disposed of and/or dealt with properly.

Sadly, I've seen (and felt) the results of clinging to junk that should have been dumped years ago, so why have I not shed the baggage? Could it be that there is a sick sort of comfort found in holding on to even the bad because it's familiar? Maybe. Otherwise, why would I (or anyone) do it?

I think this practice is another evidence of the reliability and accuracy of scripture. The Bible tells us that we have an enemy whose mission is to steal, kill, and destroy--and what could be more destructive than maintaining a vise-grip on old wounds, negative thought patterns, and mistakes from the past?

The very same verse that speaks about the thief (Satan) who plans to destroy me, also promises that Jesus Christ offers abundant life. In five different translations of scripture, John 10:10 affirms that we are all offered full, rich, satisfying, abundant life. (and He's not talking money here.)

Why then, is it frequently my habit to continue wallowing in the pain and mistakes of my past? I can only come to one cudly conclusion...

If I am not experiencing the joy of my salvation, freedom from my past, and satisfaction in my present--I have no one to blame but myself. It's available--offered to me (and you) by the One who identifies with my struggles, yet promises to rescue me from evil. 1 John 5 verse 4 says: For whatever is BORN of God OVERCOMES the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our FAITH.

Maybe sometimes it's just plain easier to practice failure instead of faith. But doesn't faith practiced provide evidence and hope of things unseen? And isn't that the key to real, honest-to-goodness authentic abundance?

If overwhelming victory is ours because of Christ Jesus who loves us, (and it is according to Romans 8:37) then it's time to walk in celebration and freedom, cutting the cords that keep me tethered to the junk of this world. It's time to swallow. Once and for all. There may be other cud to chew, but I want this meal to be done.©