You're Not the Sum of Your Own Photographic Memory

Early one morning I saw that one of my husband’s lifelong friends had posted a photo of a childhood baseball team that friend was on. As I looked at that old photo from the 50’s I was amazed as I was reminded what God has done for that friend of Danny’s.

God spoke to my heart. Looking at that photo back then no one could see if there were heartaches, troubles or cares in those little boys’ hearts. No one could see God in the picture either, but He was there. His Holy Spirit was hovering over each boy as He knew His plans for every single one of them. He was covering and calling them. And one day, in the fullness of time, God would ordain those who accepted His call.

I know life can be rough. Not every memory is a pretty picture. Not every situation has you seeing God with you. But He was there. And He was rearranging your heart so that even the less than perfect photos taken by your mind and soul could be redeemed.

The next time you find yourself reliving the pain of the past, pull out an old photo and remind yourself that if you look at each snapshot through the lens of God’s Word you will see Him. You can look at those yesteryear photos and at your present life and see that He indeed was with you through it all.

Oh beloved, whether you could see God or not in your past, He was most certainly there. God still has a plan for your life. And if He has a plan He is the center of it. He says it’s time to quit focusing on the hurts, the rejections, the difficulties, the humiliations, the failures and the mistakes. Instead He wants you to focus on Him. And see what He has done for you. As you open God’s picture album of your life – the Word of God- you will see. All His promises have been given to you. All His plans for you will come to pass. He says to remind you that you are not the sum of your own photographic memory, but you are rather the sum of the picture God keeps of you. And He doesn’t carry your picture in His pocket where it can get worn and tattered; rather He carries you in His heart and in the palm of His hand where you can remain secure in the care of His wonderful, outstanding, and never-ending love.

There may be rough spots right now, the picture may seem out of focus or marred in some way, but God will work things out. He is faithful, trustworthy and true. His plans are for your good and His glory.

Take out that old photo and look again. See how God loves you and He’s for you? That’s Him making sure the picture of your life will always turn out just right.

Psalm 31:15a My times are in Your hand…

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.

Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’

God Wants to Make All Things New!

One of my new favorite home remodel shows is Rehab Addict, where host takes a house that was ready for the wrecking ball and restores it to its former glory.  She sees in an old delapidated shell what could be.  Hundreds of people drive by old abandoned homes and wonder about them. She buys them and doesn’t remodel them – she restores them!  Her desire is to see a home as it was, before time and the elements did such a number on them. 

Maybe you’re feeling the effects of neglect. You just don’t fit in anymore, if ever. You’re tired and worn out from the trials, the concerns, the worries, the fears and more. You made mistake after mistake and now you’re in a hovel and a heap.  You’d like to start all over again, but how is it possible? You’ve gone too far and you feel like the disrepair shows to everyone around you. You may have been knocked down physically, spiritually or emotionally. All you want to do is walk away and give up. But in your heart of hearts, you keep thinking that maybe, just maybe there’s hope – that somehow life could be new again. You’ve tried changing things – from jobs to cars to makeup, but still you feel done in and hopeless. Someone may have hung a demolition sign on you – declaring you insufficient and unredeemable.

Oh beloved, hold on! God says you are so prized and so loved that He will give you more than a fresh coat of paint.  He wants to do more for you than just make things better. He wants to make all things new! He loves you so much that He left heaven just to rescue you from satan’s demolition crew. He cares about you so much that He knew you before you were even formed in your mother’s womb. He’s always on your side, even when it feels like no one is for you. He’s always working things out for your good, even when you feel downhearted.  He’s always going to watch over you and protect you all the days of your life. Neither the beating of the sun nor the drenching of floods will destroy you for God Himself is your foundation! He is the architect and the builder of your entire life! You can be assured that any discussion of your worthlessness is simply the enemy speaking lies. You are worth it, you are loved and there is something yet for you to do, so rejoice and let God continue to remake your life all the way to heaven!

Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before You as attendants.

Proverbs 10:25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.

Exodus 15:13 With Your unfailing love You lead the people You have redeemed. In Your might, You guide them to Your sacred home.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Psalm 40:5 O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.