Marie was a tragedy! She defined her life by the tragic upbringing she had experienced. All of life was seen through the abuse she had suffered as a young person, and the adult predicaments springing from that background. Her family tragedies defined her. Her father was abusive; her mother was an alcoholic. The picture she had of herself was of a person not worth knowing. Emotionally, instinctively, and relationally, her family background was who she was.
Then, the incredible happened. In midlife, she was redefined! Having become a Christian she allowed herself to be defined by God, who told her through the Bible that she was a well-loved daughter of God who was worth dying for. She also did what Paul did when he wrote in Philippians: For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Phil 1:21).
Not only did she allow God to give her a family history, she also decided she would commit the rest of her life to live out the life of Christ which was in her. Her guiding principle was no longer bitterness over the past, but a living relationship to God the Father through Christ.
Does your past define your life or does Christ define your life?
