Redeeming the “Lost Time”: Additional Thoughts on Embracing God’s Grace in Every Season

After reflecting deeply on my recent post about the Prodigal Son, I felt compelled to dive further into a subject that resonates so personally: the ache of lost time in our relationship with God. Have you ever looked back on your life and felt the heavy weight of seasons spent striving, wandering, or missing the richness of God’s presence? I have, and it’s a feeling that cuts deep.

As I shared before, 25 years of my Christian walk were marked by struggle and striving. Though I loved the Lord, I didn’t truly grasp His heart—not in the way that transforms. My faith was largely in my head but hadn’t yet reached my heart. And as I look back now, those years seem like time wasted—time I could have spent abiding in His love and walking in His fullness.

But here’s the good news: God’s grace is greater than our regrets. He invites us to see our stories—not through the lens of failure or missed opportunities—but through His eyes, where nothing is wasted, and every moment has a purpose. I urge you to stay with me through this post, not just because it’s a personal reflection, but because it’s a truth we all need to hear. There’s redemption, even in the lost years. Don’t stop here; journey with me as we discover how God transforms even our regrets into His glory.

Paul’s Perspective on “Lost Time”

When I think of these feelings, I’m drawn to the Apostle Paul, a man whose past could easily have been a source of deep regret. As a zealous Pharisee, Paul spent years persecuting the very church he would later serve. He referred to himself as the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) and often recounted his former life with brutal honesty. Yet, Paul’s perspective on his past wasn’t one of despair or lingering regret—it was one of redemption and gratitude.

Considering the Past as Loss—But Not Wasted

Paul’s writings in Philippians 3:7-8 provide a window into his heart: “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”

Paul didn’t deny his past or minimize its reality. Instead, he reframed it in light of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. The years spent striving in self-righteousness weren’t wasted—they became a backdrop for the brilliance of God’s grace. They highlighted the transformation that only Christ could bring.

A Testimony of Grace

In 1 Timothy 1:16, Paul writes: “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.”

Paul’s story became a testimony of God’s mercy, patience, and transformative power. Rather than being consumed by regret, Paul saw his past as an opportunity to glorify God. His failures became a platform for proclaiming the sufficiency of Christ.

Reframing Our “Lost Time”

As I reflect on Paul’s journey, I’m reminded that God’s grace allows us to reframe our own sense of lost time. The 25 years I spent striving and struggling weren’t wasted in God’s hands. They were part of His refining process, preparing me to fully embrace the exchanged life and walk in the freedom of Christ’s sufficiency.

God’s Sovereignty in Every Season

Romans 8:28 assures us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Those years of striving were not outside God’s control. He was sovereign over them, using even my illusions of control and my struggles to bring me to a place of total surrender.

The God Who Redeems Time

One of my favorite promises in Scripture comes from Joel 2:25: “I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten.”

God is in the business of restoration. He doesn’t just redeem our souls; He redeems our stories. The years that feel lost to us are never wasted to Him. He weaves them into His greater purpose, using them to deepen our faith, shape our character, and glorify His name.

Looking Forward, Not Back

In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul writes: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

This doesn’t mean we deny our past or the emotions it stirs, but it invites us to shift our focus. Instead of being weighed down by regret, we can press forward with hope, knowing that our time on earth is just a fraction of eternity. The years I feel were “lost” are now eclipsed by the eternal joy and purpose I’ve found in Christ.

Celebrating Grace in the Present

The beauty of God’s grace is that it meets us where we are, not where we think we should be. Today, I can celebrate the truth that I’m walking in freedom and intimacy with Christ. Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, God isn’t dwelling on the years I spent wandering or striving. His focus is on the joy of our relationship now.

An Invitation to the Reader

If you’ve ever felt the ache of lost time in your walk with Christ, know that you’re not alone. But let me encourage you with this truth: God is a redeemer of time. Those seasons of struggle are not wasted; they’re part of His process of drawing you closer to His heart. Like Paul, your story can become a testimony of His grace and transformative power.

Instead of looking back with regret, press forward with hope. Celebrate the God who restores, redeems, and transforms. And remember, no matter where you’ve been, He invites you into the fullness of His love today.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for being the God who redeems time. Thank You for using every season of our lives—even those marked by struggle and striving—for Your glory and our good. We praise You for allowing us to see our stories through the lens of Your grace, trusting that nothing is wasted in Your hands. May we press forward with hope, rejoicing in the freedom and intimacy we now have with You. You are the God of redemption, restoration, and boundless love, and we praise You for who You are. Amen.