So I went camping on the beach last weekend... I got up around 6 to watch the sun come up over the ocean and ponder everything that is going on around me.... God is so good. I felt a disconnection of sorts recently and I desperately needed to hear from Him. As I sat there I looked out over the ocean and tried to see the end of the ocean... I got up and walked to the edge of the water and looked and looked and I only saw the water meet the sky. I began to think about how God has told us that He casts our sins as far as the east is from the west. The little part of the ocean I could see definitely didn't compare to the East - West. I began to envision my sins... their life size and then I pushed them out over the ocean and imagined them shrinking to oblivion. I was so overwhelmed in that moment realizing what that looks like here on earth. If the Lord casts my sins as far as the east is from the west and looks at me purified in Him, then who am I to hold my sins over my head. If I cannot "forgive" myself or others how can I truly have relationship with God. I totally realized that I am a new person... the old me is gone, and I can only look forward. Looking back at what I have done or who I was does nothing but give the enemy tools to use against me. Jesus died for my sins so that I could have communion with the Father. Who am I to live as if His sacrifice wasn't enough for a particular sin?? I realized in that moment that here on earth I will never fully understand God's love for us, but I did grasp a part of it. And for me it was so incredible. I am not who I once was. I am not ashamed of my past, that doesn't mean I don't have regrets, but I am not condemned by my past. I am not proud of the decisions I made, but because of God's mercy and grace throughout my past I can share His love and what that looks like here on earth. His love covers all sins. I wish that everyone I love could have been on the beach with me that morning so that God could show you the things He showed me. Carrying around shame is not of the Lord. Forgiveness is such a beautiful thing... but we must see it through and live it out. Especially when we hold our past over our head. I imagine that our Father is desiring for us the freedom He offers, while we walk around oblivious to what true forgiveness is. Just imagine the beach... and then grab a map... the east from the west.... it is completely overwhelming. Embrace what God has given you, the plans He has for you. Shake off shame and walk in the purity that His sacrifice and love offer us. My earthly father wouldn't want me to be held back grieving over the person I was, I cannot imagine how much more magnified that same feeling is with my heavenly Father.
We are commanded to forgive one another. This applies to ourselves too. Walk in the freedom God has given, you will not be the same.
No comments:
Post a Comment