Everyone has a past and it's funny that a lot of times we are not proud of our past. But what if your past never existed? Would you be who you are today? Would you know what you know today? The answer is no. The truth is so many people are ashamed of their past when they should be more appreciative.

I've been in and apart of the church all of my life and now that I'm older I've been able to witness so many things regarding the church and it's culture. Growing up in church, there was a culture that was embedded in us that resulted in us covering up any of our wrong and any of our problems and acting as if everything is just fine. That in turn has hurt so many of us and created a negative stigma about "church folks" and those involved in church because we basically hide behind facades and convey false messages.  But the question becomes why is the past something to be ashamed of if it is indeed the past?

There's so much that our individual pasts have taught us and our pasts have ultimately helped shaped who we are. I'm here today to encourage you to never be ashamed of where you've been or what you've been through whether you're in church or not. What many people don’t understand is the past is so necessary and vital to where God ultimately wants us to be. The past serves as apart of the process that we have to undergo to get to where we need to be. In order to go forward, you have to look back to understand so that you can discover the next. It's nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about because everyone has a past. Nobody is perfect and has it all together. The Bible reminds us that even on our best day we are still as filthy rags.

So I'm simply here to get you to understand the significance of your past and how it has helped mold you into who you are today. Don't allow anyone to make you feel like you're inadequate because of what you've been through or who you used to be. Those same people who are judging and trying to hold it together are the same people who've done even worse in their past and are probably fighting to keep up an appearance. You should have a genuine appreciation for your past because without the old you, you would've never gotten to experience the new you.

The old you was necessary for the birthing of the new you. And for those of you who may still be struggling, know that it doesn't last forever and know that it's apart of the process. Just keep pressing and know that there's no need to feel humiliated because it's a matter of time before your birthing takes place. If I could speak to the old Shaq, I would simply say thank you. The old you is why you and so many others can appreciate the person you've become.