Forgiven by Keith and Kristyn Getty
Confession
Scrapbooks are a blessing and a curse. I spent hours making them over the years. I have two from my childhood and teen years. They are filled with pictures, newspaper articles (yes, I am that old), cards, letters, pressed flowers, lyrics to music, invitations, accomplishments, certificates, and a whole lot of those make you smile memories, but then there are those, “OMGOSH was I that self-absorbed!?” At sixteen you might look ok on the outside but on the inside, it can be ugly. Let’s just say I was your average teen and to be honest most are just plain selfish and some are a bit mean.
Hard Reflections
I recently was cleaning out a box of memorabilia and found some other cards and letters and the tone of the letters left me in shame. I treated the writers just AWFUL! I have always thought I was a “nice” person. The mirror today is no longer clouded by my own misguided assessment of myself. And Jesus was NOT reflecting back at me. Why oh why did I keep all this??? Because a part of me really cared but not with the maturity and understanding I needed. It is not enough to say you care, even love. You must demonstrate it every day.
Finger of Blame
If I was a good Jewish girl about to marry, I would have a lot of explaining to do! And, to be honest all explaining would do is point the finger of BLAME at someone else for my reprehensible behavior. (Sounds like the Garden of Eden doesn’t it?) As I read through the pages found in those scrapbooks, I felt utter shame. My actions were not the actions of a “sweet girl,” but an absolute witch. All I needed was a broom to sweep up the feelings of tender hearts I had trampled. The cauldron I was peering into was full of my evil brew of words. Words hurled at family and friends in fits of selfish witchiness.
Love
Love does not act this way! Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth, it always protects, always trusts always hopes, and always perseveres. Love NEVER fails. I Corinthians 13:4-8a)
Without Excuse
I could use the excuse, “I was young and dumb,” but the reality is I was hateful, had a very divided heart, and I was thoughtless. I am appalled at myself! How on earth could I treat others in such a despicable way? One could argue the relationships “were not meant to be,” and though that may be true, my actions led to the destruction of relationships rather than a mutual parting of the ways, understanding God had a different plan. I was a Christian already. I cannot even excuse it as old life. My “memories” of the events did not leave me without fault but the cold hard truth was staring me in the face: I totally was the stirrer of this witch’s cauldron.
Love is Action
I Corinthians 13: 4-8 is intentionally used in wedding ceremonies. A marriage cannot survive unless there is this kind of LOVE. Love is action, not pretense. If LOVE does not rule like this, what you create is a war zone and everyone involved gets hurt by the word shrapnel and the damage is sometimes unrepairable. Love puts another before yourself! PERIOD.
Transparent Open
Just prior to the Jewish marriage being consummated, the Bride is supposed to confess (yom Kippur-day of atonement) all her transgressions and HOPE the Bridegroom LOVES her enough to FORGIVE. Remember, Love is forgiveness in advance! The attitude of nothing you have done, or ever could do is something I will not forgive. It is a blank check.
Every Word Revealed
Thankfully, I did not have to do this before my wedding to the officer and gentleman. It would not have been quite as bad as my teen relationships but I still would not have been squeaky clean. When I stand before Jesus I will do my best to recall His promise that NOTHING I do, no one and nothing can snatch me from His hand. (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:38-39) He loves me completely! Because giving an account of every word that has come out of my mouth is well…………(Matthew 12:35-37)…….uncomfortable.
Love Without Limits
The book of Hosea fascinates me. It is an analogy of a love without limits. It is a love so strong it rescues a wife turned harlot out of the red light district. This is how much Jesus loves YOU! This is how much we are SUPPOSED to love each other. This is how our marriages and our churches are supposed to look.
Forgive Me
I hope to one day have the opportunity to tell a few people I am sorry for the way I behaved and for my lack of understanding of just how much my actions hurt them. I have asked the Father to forgive me. These individuals had parents watching their hurt. I wish I could apologize to them as well because I am sure Mama Bear and Papa Bear were not happy with this five-foot, blonde, blue-eyed troublemaker. Love protects!
Enemy Lies
The enemy of all believers can help us hide the truth for a very long time. God’s Word says the truth is ALWAYS revealed. (Luke 8:17; I John 1:8)
Prayer
Thank you, Father, for showing me my less than squeaky clean self and reminding me what I say, think, and do matters. Nothing is of little consequence but everything is of great consequence to others, Jesus, and His Kingdom.
Father,
I thank you for revealing another dark corner of my soul. For today, I cannot be smug and self-righteous for there is no good thing in me left to my own devices. I ask for opportunities to say, “I am so sorry!” to those who an apology is owed. Prepare their hearts to receive this and use the encounters for Your glory. Father, thank you for Your forgiveness for all I have done, and all I will do! This is love! I am so grateful.
