The hardest challenge in moving forward is the courage to deal with the pain and the past in order to be free and whole. We all come with baggage. We’ve lost control and gone off the rails damaging our own heart and the hearts of those around us. At Centerpoint, we don’t hide our mistakes, we learn from them, we pick up the pieces together and we move forward.

Press on

In Philippians 3:12-13, Paul writes, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…”

Paul declares himself the worst of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) and the least of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9). He was carrying some pretty heavy baggage. Paul’s past consisted of murdering the loved ones of those he now preached to. He could not rest his confidence in his own credentials or good deeds. Everywhere he went, the ugliness of what he had done confronted him. Instead, he had to rely on the truth found in God’s word that our pasts are forgiven. Paul worked continuously to forget who he had been and press forward towards who Jesus Christ declared he was, forgiven.   

To learn more about Paul and how he struggled, watch Shattered.

You don’t have to have it all together

When God looks at you, he sees Christ. You don’t have to act like you have it all together. It’s time to stop focusing on what others think. Instead, let’s admit we are all broken and in need of a savior.

In Genesis 3, sin entered the world and relationships began to fall apart. Adam and Eve fell away from God, attempted to hide their shame and threw blame. But no one can hide from God. Natural consequences followed, just as they do for us. When we make poor choices things fall apart.

The good news is that God never instructed us to hide our brokenness. He called Adam and Eve from hiding and addressed their sin head on.

Jesus was sent to bare our sins publicly and declare that the price has been paid. Does this mean that there are no ramifications for our actions here on earth? Absolutely not. Choices have consequences. But friend, we bear those burdens together.

Shame is not of God.

In Galatians 6:2, Paul tells the church to, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the Law of Christ.” You do not have to carry this burden alone. The church is called to walk with you through your darkest moments and to pick up the pieces with you.

Stop hiding behind your mask. Stop telling those around you that you’ve got this. When we mess up we repent, acknowledge the pain and then work together towards healing.  

Get connected

Learn more about our community groups and what it looks like to do life together. Whether you are the one who has been injured or you are the one who has injured others, know that you are loved and welcomed. Let us do life with you.