The circus has landed in Miramichi. They offer clowns, acrobats, aerialists and daredevils, but no elephants. Seeing an elephant in a circus today is a rarity because it is difficult to properly care for such a large animal. Owners have been persuaded to have them placed in facilities where they can be properly looked after. Most circus elephants were purchased when the elephant was a calve, making the owners responsible for its training. Part of the training included chaining the elephant to a stake in the ground to keep it from running loose. The elephant would have spent a significant part of its youth chained to this post and after a while would eventually learn not to struggle. 
The chain was never going to come loose and tugging only caused them pain. Ironically, if you were to see an elephant at the circus today, you would observe only a small rope attached to its ankle. This rope is tied to a stake that is loosely pegged into the ground. This painful memory of pulling against the chain would have followed the elephant into adulthood and it would have prevented it seeking its freedom.
Painful memories are hard to forget and often keep us from moving forward, even seeking freedom in our relationship with God. It is not unusual for Christians to feel tied to past sins because they have problems dealing with that guilt. We need to remember that when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we were freed from the bondage of all sin, including our past sin. Many have an overwhelming feeling of freedom and release from the bondage of sin and death.
Then, we remember something from our past and it tugs at our conscious. Sometimes pride keeps us from admitting our sin thereby preventing us from forgiving ourselves. When this happens, we need to tell ourselves the truth about who we still are… sinners saved by grace.
We can’t let our past keep us from enjoying our relationship with God. We mustn’t believe that we are above the need for God’s ongoing grace in our life. We can live in God’s grace and accept His ongoing, unconditional forgiveness for the sins we still battle, or the memory of past sin. Don’t let a painful memory from your past keep you tied down or stagnant in your relationship with God. Begin to bask in the forgiveness of Christ! We are no longer condemned. We are forgiven! We can make a new start every time we sin… just sincerely confess it and ask God to change you from the inside out. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
If you have repeatedly fallen into the same sin or are tied to past sins such as pornography, lying, unforgiveness, substance abuse, gossiping, etc., then go to God and ask for His help. But also consider going to your pastor, a mentor or a Christian counsellor and ask for their guidance, prayer, and instruction on how to loosen the ties that bind you to your past.
Live free and enjoy your relationship with God.