Before (preposition): during the period of time preceding (a particular event, date, or time)
Our lives are full of “Befores”
- Before I was married…
- Before I had kids…
- Before my tour of duty…
- Before I lost my job…
- Before my cancer diagnosis…
- Before my Mom died…
- Before I retired…
We use these phrases often, in reference to some defining moment in our lives that caused a drastic change. When reading a biography, or learning history in school, we see a person’s life graphed on a horizontal line with the major milestones marked along the path. These could be seen as the “Before” markers.
One of the best examples of this from scripture is described in the book of Acts, chapter 9. Here we learn about Saul’s conversion.
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Acts 9:3-4
The story goes on to describe how Saul – a man who had been persecuting followers of Jesus – became Paul, one of the most well-known Apostles of Christ. The encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus was most definitely a milestone marker on Paul’s life graph. His life was dramatically different from that day forward.
I am confident that many of Paul’s conversations started with the words “before I met Christ…”
When I think about my experience getting to know Jesus, I can’t actually pinpoint a specific event or date to claim as my “Before” marker. It would appear on my lifeline as a period of time, rather than an exact date.
However, I can vividly remember and recount what my life was like “Before” Jesus was a part of it….
Before, I would sleep as late as I could each day to just allow enough time to take care of my physical needs and my children’s needs before heading off to work and school. Now, the day just isn’t right unless I start it with either some scripture reading, prayer, or devotion. I wake up each morning with gratitude for the gift of another day, and excitement about what it will bring.
Before, my mind and heart were full of a lot of negative self-talk, guilt and shame. Now, I see me how God sees me – with love and forgiveness. I’ve put behind me the years of self-abuse and have moved forward with only love and kindness.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
Before, I would occasionally read the Bible – or really, attempt to read it. I knew that Bible was important, and that I should be able to find significant things in it that would tell me how to live a life of goodness. But I struggled reading more than a page or two at a time and would barely retain what I had just read. Now I am so excited about reading the Bible, understanding the stories, and opening my mind and heart to the messages contained within that are for me. The Word truly has come alive to me!
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Before, I spent my days analyzing the past or planning for the future. Now, my days are filled with prayer, talking to God, enjoying the moments one by one, and generally, just a lot of positive thinking and feeling. I see now how often I was living in the future or in the past, and missing so much of the present.
Before, I looked at relationships, my career, anything that might satisfy my longing. Now, I know that only God can fulfill my yearning. I no longer turn to those things when I’m feeling lonely or unsatisfied in some way. Now, I turn to God and rest in His presence, confident that God knows all my needs, even when I don’t, and he will fulfill my needs in His time.
For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9
Before, I would look back on certain moments of my life that caused me sadness or loneliness and wonder why I went through those moments. I would feel the sorrow and isolation all over again. Now, I look back at those moments and am comforted knowing that He was there with me. I have a whole new perspective looking at my past. In some ways, I have found healing for past grief.
Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Isaiah 60:20
Before, I thought my value was determined by my success, my family, my beauty, my possessions. Now, I understand that my value was determined by God the moment He created me and does not diminish over time.
Before, if I had been asked to share my faith story, it would have been mostly about how I believed in God. I would have shared my thoughts and opinions about organized religion.
Now, my story is no longer just about believing in God…it’s about loving Jesus.
Seeing the Before and After pictures of people who have experienced a “Make-over” on a morning talk show makes me wish I had Before and After pictures of my own. That is, pictures of my soul (my spiritual being, the eternal piece of who I am) before and after I came to know and cherish Jesus.
In lieu of pictures, these words from scripture describe it best:
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8