embracing every version of yourself

Embrace Every Version Of Yourself

In our journey through life, the path isn’t always straight. We stumble, take detours, and sometimes stray. It's never a question of who does this, but when and in what season are we failing because we ALL fall short of the glory of God. We are all imperfect and often, our harshest critic is not society, peers, or family, but ourselves. To live a life filled with joy and peace, it’s crucial to embrace every version of ourselves, including our younger, less experienced selves, and to learn the art of self-forgiveness. Without this, we give satan a stronghold to keeping us from reaching our fullest potential in who God created us to be.

I love finding scriptures that coincide with one another in the Bible and complete each other in it's entirety. Take John 8:1-11 for example. Customarily, society at that time stoned women accused of adultery. Jesus was present during such a time. The woman's wrongdoing was clear in the eyes of society, and she stood vulnerable before a condemning crowd. Yet, when Jesus presented the profound challenge, suggesting that only one without sin should cast the first stone, everyone retreated. Jesus didn't punish her for a lapse in judgement. Instead He judged her heart. This story beautifully illustrates that Jesus does not judge an individual based on societal norms or the visible actions of a person. Instead, He delves deeper, discerning the heart, offering understanding and grace where others might simply cast judgment. Sometimes I think it would be easier for us to accept the physical punishments of all of our wrongdoings than God's grace because too many of us are walking around condemning ourselves for our past sins. (Let's face it, if we got called out for every little mistake we made daily, not a single one of us could boast of having a good day. Especially behind the wheel, am I right? 😂)

The tale of Lot and his family fleeing the doomed city of Sodom in Genesis 19:1-29 carries a striking message about the dangers of looking back. While they were instructed not to look back at what they were leaving, Lot's wife, unfortunately, did, turning her into a pillar of salt. While the narrative is steeped in mystery, its lesson is clear: dwelling on the past can be paralyzing. Our past mistakes, regrets, and missteps are just that—in the past. Continuously looking back keeps us anchored to moments that no longer serve our growth. To move towards a brighter future, we need to set our sights forward, taking with us the lessons, not the burdens.

Every version of ourselves—the curious child, the rebellious teenager, the young adult finding their way, and the older, wiser self—is a chapter in our unique story. Each version has its victories and mistakes. Accepting who we are fully means embracing each of these versions, acknowledging our mistakes, forgiving ourselves, and looking ahead with hope and determination.

The Bible, through its myriad stories and teachings, guides us towards a life of grace, acceptance, and forward momentum. By forgiving ourselves as Jesus teaches and by focusing on the future instead of being tethered to the past, we pave the way for personal growth, spiritual enlightenment, and a journey filled with purpose and joy.