Optimize Yourself!

My computer has a folder of Temporary Files. It's full of data that was once needed but isn't necessary any more. I don't intentionally create those files; they just seem to appear out of thin air, occupying space on my hard drive. When my computer drags through the tasks I assign it I know it's time to Optimize it. IT experts will tell you that these files need to be deleted every now and again in order for your computer to run at optimal performance. The files begin to slow down your computer's operating system, and you know how frustrating it is to have to wait on a slow computer! One rule of thumb says that if the date on those "temporary files" is not today's date, they can be safely erased.

I have a similar folder inside my head. Unfortunately, the contents of this folder are not as harmless as what's inside the Temporary Files in my computer. This folder contains a complete archive of bad things that have happened in the past, both things that I have done and things that have been done to me. I've got video, audio, text - a whole multimedia display of negativity. When I least want them to, these things worm their way out of my past into my present.

I remember all the times I embarrassed myself.

I remember the times that I hurt other people.

I remember my failures. I remember my sin.

I remember the times I was mistreated.

I remember the ways that people hurt me, the things they said, the things they did.

I remember those times that people let me down, didn't support me, wasn't there for me.

I know that none of that remembering does me any good. Those things from the past only serve to slow things down to spoil today with yesterday's hurts. Just like those Temporary Files on my computer, what I really need to do is delete them.

We have to put our past in the past and set our eyes on what lies ahead. We have a God who is willing to forgive any and everything that we've done, if only we will let Him... And He will teach us to do the same with other people!

"My friends, I don't feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done." Phil 3:13-14 CEV