When White-Out Won't Work

A little allegory on a Friday night...

I am at a new school site this year. I have spent a considerable amount of  time going through the workroom in an attempt to organize and create space for supplies. While doing so, I have found a plethora of items. And, incidentally, enough paperclips to fashion a wedding gown (as a dear co-worker has said). 

Some of the items were pulled out from the depths of the drawers and cabinets could no longer be used, like dried out markers and the such. This week, I went into the workroom to get a bottle of white-out. The bottle was unopened. I removed the packaging, shook it, and unscrewed the lid. As I began to cover up the errors in a schedule, I noticed that the white-out was not gliding over the paper. Instead, it was gloppy and making a bigger mess. I went to the workroom in search for another bottle of correction fluid. The second bottle was completely dried out and useless. 

I ended up ordering a few new bottles of white-out and some correction tape as well. The next day, when I was unpacking the supply boxes, I happily gave the ladies in the office a new correction tape {It is the little things, people}. 

So, it came time to break in the correction tape. It worked. It covered the blemish easily and completely. And my mind went straight to grace. 

We all fall short; none are perfect. We all are blemished. During the Old Covenant, God's people were instructed to atone for their sins by sacrificing an unblemished animal. We could never do it on our own. We are like the gloppy white-out incapable of covering the error (sin). And, it would never be whole because we needed saving; we needed a Savior to be the atonement for our sins. And because of our Redeemer, our sins are covered. When we repent and confess our sins, they are blotted out. How wonderful! AMAZING! 

And, as I covered over the blemishes on paper, this song came to mind: 

White as snow, white as snow

Though my sins were as scarlet

Lord, I know, Lord, I know

That I'm clean and forgiven

Through the power of Your blood

Through the wonder of Your love

Through faith in You

I know that I can be

White as snow

And I could go on, but for tonight, I will stop here with this: 

{Ephesians 1:7-8} Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! 

On Forgiveness...

Forgiveness. It is something in which we all have grappled. Sometimes we are the ones requesting to be forgiven; other times we are the ones granting forgiveness (even when it isn't asked for...). I began thinking about forgiveness this blustery afternoon after it was the topic of today's sermon. I was reminded of the time I led a two-part study on The Hiding Place (Corrie Ten Boom). The first part lent itself to the topics of evil and faith's response to social injustice. The concluding portion, however, couldn't have been on any other topic than forgiveness. I remember sitting with it for a long while, this concept of forgiveness that can be so arduous, so convoluted. So I thought I would share some of my notes/reflection questions from that study. For those of you so inclined, read on :-)


Sometimes things that we think warrant forgiveness (or we demand it), really just need grace extended instead. We can look at the intent and if there isn't a malicious motive, then we should excuse it and move on so bitterness isn't allowed to take hold of our hearts. Scripture instructs us to love one another deeply, for love covers a multitude of sins. Unfortunately, those who have been forgiven can be some of the worst grudge-holders. When we hold onto our hurt and refuse to forgive, we imprison ourselves. Corrie stated, “Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.”


The Cross can never be undone. Jesus paid the ransom. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Believe me, beloved, if the Son sets you free, you are FREE indeed. And what a sweet gift, this grace of blessed assurance. As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. 


Forgiveness is an act of obedience that cannot be done in the flesh. Also, forgiveness doesn't always mean restoration of a relationship. The most obvious example of this is in relationships where there is some type of abuse occurring. And, part of extending the lifeline of grace is holding someone accountable. Choosing to remove the actions of sin off of someone is like cutting off a growth. True reconciliation requires confrontation. 


Questions for Reflection


1. What does God's Word say about forgiveness? Please read Colossians 3:12-13 and Matthew 6:14-16. Why is forgiveness difficult; why is it so important for us to forgive others and even ourselves?


2.  How does forgiveness equal freedom? How are we imprisoned when we choose not to forgive? What does that look like in our lives?


3. Do you think forgiveness is a one time event or more of a process?


4. Corrie Ten Boom wrote, "Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart." Can you forgive someone and still harbor feeling of anger or resentment? How can your heart change? 


5. Is it harder to forgive someone who chooses not to ask for forgiveness or say "I'm sorry"? 


6. Do you think forgiveness is costly? Explain (Hint: think of the Cross). 


7. Is there anyone you need to forgive? Is there anyone you need to ask to forgive you? What is stopping you? 


And, if by chance you are reading this blog and want to know more about forgiveness and a relationship with Jesus, please ask! 

Turning...

It is 10:38pm on a normal weekday night. I am tired, but also fidgety (an odd combination, I know). Instead of inevitably tossing and turning, I have been listening to hymns and reflecting on God's goodness and grace in my life. And we remember, lest we forget His benefits...

I remember going to church when I was a child. My mother would interpret for the deaf at Harvest. I remember the songs, the scripture, the falling in love with a Savior. Then church stopped. I'd still sing for awhile, but soon my song faded. And I don't know why it became dormant.

In tenth grade, I began sporadically attending church with a friend. I read the Bible and wore a cross pin on my sweater...I couldn't find my song. I went through the motions. I learned things, but my heart wasn't open.

After graduation, I became pregnant at 17, had a son at 18, and was married a year later to an unbeliever (after all, I was living like one myself). And I was absolutely miserable. Empty. Hopeless.

He is that Hound of heaven, though. When I was 21, I responded to His call. And, it wasn't effortless, nor was it easy. I got in the way. I vacillated between guilt and confusion. The guilt of my past sins weighed so heavily on my heart that I felt as if I couldn't be forgiven. But, after wrestling with this, God revealed His truth to my heart {Psalm 103}. I also couldn't understand why the seed from my youth didn't take root; what caused my soil to be rocky? But, like Saul, I , too, was called at a specific time (and His timing is perfect).

Today, by God's lavish grace, I know I am forgiven. I used to lament about the circumstances I felt were life-long consequences from rebellious sin, like being unequally yoked. But, when we turn from our waywardness back to Him with repentant hearts, well, there isn't anything He can't redeem. He is the Hound of heaven, after all. And, my story isn't finished {and neither is yours}. I still have daily reminders from that time. I pray for my husband's salvation. I pray for my children's faith. And ultimately, I trust in a God who loves them completely. So, we walk on, and when we stumble (when, not if), we can turn, be forgiven (1 John 1:9), and continue...Amazing GRACE!

In this season of Lent, as we move closer to the Cross, I find myself yearning to be at the foot. I ran across this prayer by Thomas à Kempis that I had written on a bookmark many years ago. It is my heart's prayer tonight:
Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts that cannot be dragged down by false loves; give us courageous hearts that cannot be worn down by trouble; give us righteous hearts that cannot be side-tracked by unholy or unworthy goals. Give to us also, our Lord and God, understanding to know you, diligence to look for you, wisdom to recognize you, and a faithfulness that will bring us to see you face to face.

{And all of God's people said, "Amen!"}