Forgiven

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Once in awhile, I find myself saying things that dismay me. It shouldn’t be that hard – after all, I am the gatekeeper to my own mouth, right? So how can any words sneak past my lips, that I flinch about too late?

Recently I had that experience – the words were barely off my tongue when I was already regretting them – but, they were too late to take back, and no handy excuse could possibly explain my plain-out rudeness…and it troubled me. In fact, not only did the conviction of my ungracious words haunt me for the rest of the day, they prevented me from sleeping soundly that night.  The next morning, I knew I needed to “make things right” before I did anything else.

I composed an email to the people I had carelessly offended, and did not try to hide behind any excuses because, well, there simply weren’t any. I confessed my rude behavior and told them I was so sorry, humbly asking their forgiveness.  And the guilt started to lift.

I eagerly checked my inbox for their response, praying they would offer me the grace I didn’t deserve, but so desperately needed. When their reply came, it was exactly what a Christ-follower’s words should be: Kind and seasoned with gentleness and compassion. Tremendous relief flooded my heart!

Forgiven! Is there any greater word in the English language than that? It is what God offers all of us sinners who repent and confess our sin to Him, embracing the gift of Jesus for our forgiveness and salvation.

It is what we need to extend to one another when we offend one another. And it gives a palpable relief when it is offered and accepted.

We are reminded in Ephesians 4:1-3, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” and 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

I am so thankful for the work of the Holy Spirit; He guides me, convicting me of my ugly sin when necessary, and helping me do the things I know I ought to do… and what a wonderful feeling when we obey His gentle prodding in our hearts! Freedom from guilt and worry, and freedom to carry on in our calling to follow Jesus, not perfectly, but growingly.

Is there anyone in your life that you need to ask forgiveness from? It is a wonderful feeling when we confess our offenses, seeking forgiveness from those we have hurt. Has someone hurt you and asked your forgiveness and perhaps you’ve resisted offering it, preferring instead to hold them hostage to the guilt they carry? God asks us to forgive as we have been forgiven – freely, quickly, and in all things.

This life isn’t always easy. There are many blocks to stumble over; but God has made a way for us to get back on the right path, following Him. That is where Victory is. Let’s spur one another on to love and forgiveness. And let’s talk…you know – between friends.

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Burdened or Buoyant?

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When I was much younger (18…ok, much, much younger) I got in a car accident in which I hit a pedestrian. It was icy, he was walking on the side of a fairly busy road and I hit a patch of black ice.

My car was spinning very sluggishly – the whole thing felt like it was playing in slow motion so that by the time I actually made contact with him, I more or less “pushed” him into a ditch heavily filled with snow (I recall seeing his face very briefly through the glass staring dazedly at me as he hung onto the hood of my car before landing in the ditch.) Certainly scary – for both of us!

During the questioning for the deposition with the attorneys (which was agonizing) I was asked, “What happened to the car when you steered it to the right?”

I nervously and truthfully answered, “My back end came around and got in front of my front end.”

Now, this made sense to me. It still does. It is precisely what happened.

My parents received a copy of the transcript in the mail. You’d be surprised how much laughter has been generated in my family from that one small statement. It has been brought out at holiday gatherings and told to coming generations; it may as well be stamped across my forehead it’s so embedded into my history.

I laugh right along with everyone; seeing it in black and white made it sound a lot more funny than the day I said it in front of a room full of strangers where I sat worried over the unknown of my future. (It turned out ok; there was an eyewitness who saw the whole thing and the man checked out perfectly fine at the hospital.)

 I’m so glad that God in his grace allows us to build onto his legacy – He lets us be called wonderful things – like “Christ follower” and “Child of the King” and “Joint Heirs with Christ”… Our identity in Christ, if we’ve accepted his free gift of salvation, is our greatest label, our finest possession – the best thing we can be known for and triumph in!

“Colossians 1:10-14, “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Oh dear reader ~ Has your heart caught the truth of this? This is incredible really! That we are share in God’s inheritance ~ just for our obedience to Him?! Wow! It reminds me of a poem I wrote…I will share next time.

Meanwhile, are you living with burden or buoyancy? Are you buried under the stresses of life and unable to see yourself how God sees you if you are one of his? Or are you living with joy filled steps, walking forward excitedly in all the delight that comes with being a child of the King? Let’s talk…you know – between friends.

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