First Baptist Church of Herndon

The Ghosts Behind You

Linda Soller | Oct 16, 2017

Ginger would be the first to say she got off to a rough start. Her late teens and early twenties were not times she liked to remember. Like ghosts following her around her memories haunted her. She was certain everyone knew of her mistakes. For her, the ghosts were there on a daily basis. Ginger moved about over the years starting in Herndon, then to Reston, Sterling, and Ashburn. You get the picture.  Each move initially gave her a fresh start, but then something that was said or implied would bring back the ghosts. Ginger’s solution was to continue to run and hide. Ghosts have a way of finding you if you let them.

The Christian faith can be hard for people to embrace when they are convinced their ghosts are as obvious as their shadows, just as persistent, but also unforgivable. Well folks, you need to read about Saul in the Bible – Acts 9:1-43. From the Christian perspective Saul was a nightmare. He made it his goal in life to persecute and punish Christians. Did I mention he was good at it? Saul was a powerful presence and a force to be reckoned with. Until he was on the road to Damascus. I don’t want to spoil the whole story, so let’s jump ahead. Saul, who could easily be called the enemy of early Christianity, became a leading promoter of the faith after his encounter with the Lord. God had no use for Saul’s old ways and was ready to move on. Like many of us who can’t forgive ourselves or let go of our past, Saul didn’t understand at first. Once he saw the Light he became a powerful force again. This time he was spreading the Good News!

We all have our ghosts. Some of us can’t seem to shake them. We become convinced they are as scary to the people we meet as they are to us. The result is we don’t always seek a solution. We may miss an opportunity to send the ghosts away. We won’t allow ourselves to move forward. But God will allow us to move forward. He was there for us in the past even if we didn’t seek Him out and He is there for us now. I made Ginger up, but I’m guessing you have known someone like Ginger. Your ghost may not push you to run and hide, but are they keeping you from your faith. Why not put the ghosts behind you and head down the road with God at your side?

Have a great week!  :o) Linda