Who I am hates who I’ve been

One of my favorite songs right now is “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been”
by the group Relient K.
The lyrics really caused me to reflect on my own life. I’ll share
some words from the chorus, and then give a few observations.

I’m sorry for the person I became
I’m sorry that it took so long for me to change
I’m ready to try and never become that way again
‘Cause who I am hates who I’ve been
Who I am hates who I’ve been

I’m sure we can all look back and see things we wish we hadn’t
done, things we wish we hadn’t said. Don’t you sometimes wish
you could have those moments back? Doesn’t it disturb you to
remember the person you used to be?

I think we look back on those times with regret and embarrassment
because we have grown and matured. We see who we were at one time
and it really bothers us. Our response should be thanksgiving for
how far God has brought us by His grace, to learn from our mistakes,
and to continue to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

But we must never think that we’ve “arrived.” We need to remember
how easy it is to get off-track and fall back into old habits.
And above all, we’ve got to remember to “put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new
in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created
to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”
(Ephesians 4:22b-24).