One of the most difficult things after becoming a Christian seems to be letting go of the past. Unless we clean out our past and discard what needs to be discarded, our former habits, hobbies, behaviors, and tendencies will continue to influence our transformed selves today.

I once received a counseling request from a woman who was known for her exemplary Christian life in church. She shared that her husband could not let go of his pre-Christian habits and had been physically abusive toward her. When he got angry, he would often raise his hand even in front of their children. She confessed that it was shameful to live in front of the children. She also said that during her years of marriage, she had witnessed her father-in-law repeatedly strike her mother-in-law whenever he drank. Although her husband was polite and kind to everyone at church and respected by all, he was a terrible husband and father at home. As a result, his actions confused and wounded the faith of his wife and children. It was a heartbreaking example.

Even in my own life as a pastor’s wife, there are still many habits, behaviors, and preferences from the past that I continue to hold onto. Were it not for God’s grace, I would still be clinging to things that are no better than a pile of foul-smelling garbage. One such example was my intense love for Elvis Presley, my favorite rock singer during my teenage years—even years after I had become a pastor’s wife. I don’t normally watch much television, but if Elvis was on, I would drop everything and sit in front of the TV, completely absorbed. Even my children would call out with excitement when they saw Elvis on TV: “Mom! Hurry! Elvis is on!” as if they were doing something good for me.

When I reflect on why I liked him so much, the reasons are quite childish. It was his handsome face, the tender voice that sang “Love Me Tender,” the way he held the microphone in one hand while slinging a guitar over his shoulder and shaking his legs like a boneless squid. Every time I saw him, I found myself indulging in the nostalgia of my teenage years. How could I have admired someone who, in reality, was a notorious international playboy and a drug addict who didn’t even live out his full life? What he left behind were songs that pleaded for carnal love, luxury motorcycles, and Graceland Mansion. Yet I still longed to hear his voice and see his face, even though he had left nothing of true value to me, a devoted fan.

Then one day, the Lord came to me deep within my soul and spoke to me in a still, small voice:
“How much do you love Me? Do you truly long to meet Me?”
That moment was a powerful spiritual challenge. My heart sank. I deeply reflected on whether I truly desired to meet the Lord—more than Elvis Presley—and whether I longed to hear His voice above all else. The Lord had sacrificed His body and shed His blood for this sinner, granting eternal life to someone destined for dust… I felt overwhelming sorrow and repented with a broken heart, gazing upon the blood-stained body of Christ.

After that experience, I lost all interest in movies or videos featuring Elvis. I clearly told my children, “Mom is no longer a fan of Elvis Presley.” I came to confess that Jesus alone is my true superstar.

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)

The words of the Apostle Paul offer hope to those of us who hesitate to throw away the past. Even though we’ve been baptized and become spiritually mature, our past habits, behaviors, hobbies, and tendencies do not easily let us go. But when we boldly cast away what must be discarded, we will no longer be bound by our past. We will live as sanctified Christians, free from those chains.

In the Middle Ages, it’s said that those who wanted to become monks had to go through a year of probation. During that time, they hung their worldly clothes on the wall, symbolizing their readiness to leave the secular world. If they could not endure the monastic life, they were allowed to freely return to the world. Likewise, if we don’t discard the worldly garments we took off when we came to believe in Jesus and instead keep them hanging in our spiritual closet, not only will they hinder our spiritual life, but they may also harm the hearts of those we love.

“I gave My body and shed My blood for you,
I atoned for your sins and offered you the way to life.
I gave Myself for you—what will you give to Me?”
(Hymn #185)

As I walk the spiritual path before the Lord’s suffering and resurrection, I earnestly pray that my spiritual eyes may be opened to see myself clearly. I pray for the courage and determination to cast away what must be cast away.

Letting go is never easy. But when we do let go of what must be let go, we will meet the transparent image of the Lord drawing near—and we will gain the life of resurrection.