Everyone in this world has a past, and for some of us, our past can be full of moments that we aren’t proud of.

It can be full of regrets and failures, and looking back at our past can bring feelings of hurt and disappointment. There is good news for those of us that may not be proud of the things we’ve done: as Christians our past does not have represent the person that we are today.

One of the biggest things that kept me from accepting Jesus Christ as my savior for so long was the fact that I thought I wasn’t good enough. I thought that I had to get my life together before I could even ask Him to be the Lord of my life. I was also fooled into thinking that my past was too messy, and that He would want nothing to do with me because of it.

God doesn’t want to see us try to transform our lives on our own. Here’s a little secret that could save someone some time, we can’t transform our lives on our own. If we try to take on this task without the Lord’s help, we will make a mess of everything.

Looking back now I realize that these thoughts were foolish, and God accepted me just as I was. I was a broken 17-year-old that was welcomed with open arms by a God that saw all of my sins and wanted me anyway. I didn’t have to fix any piece of my torn and beaten life; God wanted me no matter what kind of baggage I had been carrying around with me from my past.

Even if our past holds a lot of painful memories, it can be used to further God’s kingdom. The things we’ve done and the things we’ve gone through can help us relate to others who may be going through some of those same things. To these people with similar stories, we can serve as an example that no sin is too great for God to forgive because at some point in time He forgave us.

We can help these people walk through their heartache and hurt. God can work through us to show them their value and purpose. We can help show them that they don’t have to have a perfect life for God to love them and use them.

I am able to use my testimony to reach other young girls who struggle in the same areas that I once did. This is something that I never thought I would be able to do, but one of the most empowering things I’ve ever experienced is being able to help girls out of the dark pit of brokenness and into the brilliance and completeness of the Lord.

God wants to take our brokenness and turn it into purpose. He wants to use us in ways that we can’t even imagine. It’s not by our own strength that we can accomplish things for His kingdom; it is His strength within us. So if you haven’t already, give the hurt and shame of your past to God. He never meant for us to carry these burdens beyond the cross. He wants to give you a whole new life full of purpose and love.