Expression of a Renewed Heart
My Heart
First, I am most thankful for who Jesus is.
Second, I am thankful that He is in my life.
Third, I am thankful for all He has done for me.
This poem only scratches the surface of what Jesus has done for me.
I’m thankful that I’m no longer chained to my past and the shame that came with it.
Now, when Jesus looks at me, He doesn’t see who I was—He sees who I am today. He sees the transformation that is still unfolding in my life, changes that are reshaping me day by day.
In this radical change, I sometimes stumble. People try to hold me to who I was yesterday. Honestly, I can’t be angry with them or even blame them. They can’t see what Jesus sees. Only Jesus can see the invisible things hidden deep within the secret places of my heart.
Visible change always begins with an invisible desire—the heart’s silent cry for transformation.
Some people are what I call grace hoarders—they act as though God's forgiveness only applies to them, but not to others.
Then some forget that Jesus is eager to forgive their missteps. Many live under unnecessary guilt and shame, and if they can’t accept grace for themselves, how can they offer it to others?
I don’t feel anger toward those who try to keep me tied to my past.
Instead, I feel compassion because they don’t yet fully understand the depth of God’s grace.
While others may try to anchor me to yesterday, I must make the intentional choice to move forward.
I must forgive myself and embrace the life ahead. I must live not in the past, but in the present.
I need to be fully present in the moment, because that’s where Jesus is.
When Satan—or more often, people—try to attack my identity in Christ, I won’t retaliate.
Instead, I’ll praise Jesus for all He has done and all He is still doing in my heart.
For Your Heart
Have you thanked Jesus today?
Have you thanked Him for the greatest miracle—your changed life?
Have you thanked Him for transforming your heart, for releasing you from the prison of your past?
Here is the truth:
Through Jesus, we are no longer who we were. He has delivered us from sin and shame, replacing condemnation with transformation.
As we continue to grow and change, the echoes of the past may still beckon us back. People may focus on who we were, not who we are becoming.
But Jesus doesn’t offer a surface-level fix. He brings deep, lasting change that reshapes our identity—day by day.
Even more profound is the truth that this transformation is ongoing.
Spiritual growth isn’t a one-time event. It’s a daily surrender to Jesus and a daily decision to move forward with Him.
Just like Paul, we must “forget what is behind and press on toward what is ahead.”
Those who dwell on the past—whether it’s ours or someone else’s—miss out on the freedom of God's forgiveness.
So what should we do in the face of opposition, judgment, or reminders of our failures?
We continue to run the race without looking back.
That is the spirit of the race of faith—keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of it all.
I hope this poem encourages you.
Work in Progress
Jesus, I praise Your lovely name,
For You delivered me from sin and shame.
You changed me from within,
I am no longer the same.
You alone, my King and Lord;
Because of You, my life's restored.
Some dredge my past,
Acting as if Your grace won't last.
I, too, recall that past event,
Reminding them of the change I underwent.
Within my heart, change is ongoing,
Through confessing, through repenting,
I'm constantly transforming, always growing.
I'll leave my accusers behind,
Stuck in the past, confined.
Sadly, they forget what they've been forgiven of,
Unable to enjoy Your unconditional love.
No matter what's said, I will run,
Pressing forward until the race is won.
Jesus, I'll never cease to praise You,
For what You've done, are doing,
And what You're about to do.
I am forever in love with You.
