“The past can hurt, but the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it” - Rafiki to Simba in the Lion King
Lion King wisdom. Today I’ve been going back through some old services on my computer because I think I might have something that will be useful for our service on Sunday. Unfortunately what I thought I had I haven’t got despite the framework all being there for having it.
I did, however, come across a clip from the Lion King when Simba is all grown up and is considering the fact that he needs to go back and claim his rightful place as King. However, he doesn’t want to go back because of the bad memories - he had originally run away because he believed he was responsible for the death of his Father.
Rafiki, as always, has wise advice. The past hurts, we can run from it or learn from it.
As I was searching for the thing I couldn’t find, the windows search function reminded me of some journalling I had done at particular times when I wasn’t that happy with how things were going. As I read some bits it reminded me of those moments, but also reminded me of how those moments were part of the journey to where I am now. Through those moments I learned, I became more self aware and in the afterwards I looked at how I might deal with the same things better. Those moments made me realise stuff I hadn’t noticed and opened doors I hadn’t expected.
I’ve never been a believer in the phrase ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ because sometimes what doesn’t kill you breaks you..... however, I do think that what doesn’t kill you changes you and as it does you have a choice whether to hide from the past that tells the story of your now and run.... or face the past that tells the story of your now and learn - walk with the hurt and not hide it in a cupboard. Hiding the past isn't letting go of it.... forgetting the former things isn't just ignoring them - it's getting to a place where they don't fester and rise up again to stop you in your tracks at the times you least expect.
We all have things - some of us bigger than others - that we find hard to face - but imagine if, like Simba did in the end - we face it head on and deal with the hurt. Imagine the relationships that could be made better, imagine the vastness of opportunities that might unfold...... imagine, just for a moment, that the scars of the past didn’t open up and weep but were a reminder that it happened, that it hurt, but also that the future has potential to hold better as you approach it with the stories that brought you to now, not defining the hurting you, but teaching the learning you.
We seize control as we choose to learn through the hurt, and one day, hopefully one day, it will stop biting so hard.
“Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good” Romans 8:26-28
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