In a Backdraft?

• back·draft [bak-draft, -drahft] -  Noun   ~   1. a reverse movement of air, gas or liquid.                     
•  2. an explosion that occurs when air reaches a fire that has used up all the available oxygen, often occurring when a door is opened to the room containing the fire. 

The 1991 film called 'Backdraft', Kurt Russell and William Baldwin, play feuding firefighter brothers, while an arsonist runs rampant.

Everyday we face an adversarial arsonist, who attempts to use the backdraft of our past sins, mistakes and failures to smolder our fire/passion for Jesus.

He desires for us to focus on the people we were rather than who we've become in Christ.

This arsonist wants to destroy the hope of promise and purpose Jesus calls us to, convincing us to live our lives looking through the rear view mirror.

We must remember that our past doesn't define our present or future.....this isn’t a new phenomenon.

God has always used ordinary men/women with sordid backstories.

•  Abraham, called the Father of faith but, lacked it;
•  Moses the Deliverer, was a murderer;
•  Rahab, included in the genealogy of Jesus, was a prostitute;      
  
•  David, called a man after God's own heart, struggled with lust.

Each and every one of us has a backstory. 

The good news, Jesus stepped forward, so our yesterday would no longer be our today. God didn't create perfect people, but people who are unfinished. He's looking to qualify those who are called.

I Peter 2:9 (NASB) ~ But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellences of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.