Know Your Routes

Celebrities. Their designer clothes, expensive cars and lavish lifestyles often have people asking: ‘Who do they think they are?’ Over the past ten years, 100 celebrities have gone on a quest to find out the answer in BBC One’s 'Who Do You Think You Are?' On Wednesday 6 August, the BBC celebrates a decade of the programme with a one-hour special that looks back at some standout moments.

In previous episodes, celebs such as Patsy Kensit, Bruce Forsyth, J. K. Rowling and Stephen Fry have experienced a rollercoaster of emotions as they discovered the stories of their ancestral history. Some of the stars have discovered that they have royal blood. Others have been saddened to learn that their forebears were mistreated.

'Who Do They Think They Are?: 10 Years, 100 Shows' looks back at the episode when TV inquisitor Jeremy Paxman reluctantly delved into his family history. As he discovered the troubles that his great-grandparents faced, Jeremy’s tough exterior broke. ‘When you discover somebody’s life story and the adversity they faced,’ he says, ‘of course it has an effect on you and I was terribly moved, as was evident.’

Our own history affects who we are today. Good experiences can give us a positive outlook and provide us with confidence. Bad experiences can have the opposite effect and we unknowingly become cynical and unforgiving. Such negative traits can ruin our expectations of the present and tarnish our outlook of the future. But we don’t need to be weighed down by our past. Focused on dealing with his past, Bible writer Paul tried to ‘forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead … I run straight towards the goal in order to win the prize which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above’ (Philippians 3:13, 14 Good News Bible).

When we put our faith in Jesus, he helps us deal with our past. He forgives our wrongdoing. He helps us forgive those who have hurt us. He also helps us to face the future with a sense of peace. Whatever happens, he will be with us. Is it time we got to know who Jesus is?

UK & Ireland War Cry 2 August 2014