God's Forgiveness
I‘ve been forgiven. God’s forgiveness made me a different man. Let me tell you why I’m grateful to be forgiven.
Forgiveness gave me the freedom to enjoy life. Before I was forgiven, I lived an exciting life. If I wanted something, I found a way to get it. I drove a restored 1970 Datsun 240Z that could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 8 seconds. I thrilled with the power I felt in the driver’s seat of that car. My eye focused on the road ahead of me. But I was so driven to feel the power, I didn’t notice the color all around me. The beauty of the Pacific Ocean with its blue waves rolling up the white sands and licking toward the green grass and trees was just outside my window flying past. But all I could see was where to drive faster. It was as though my eyes just couldn’t see anything past the edge of the road.
It was as if I was scared to see what was really there. Scared I would have to face the lies I told to get this car. Scared to face the friends I cheated. Scared to face my own conscience. Scared to face the real world around me, I focused on the road ahead and tried to hide my real powerlessness by feeling the power of this car.
I no longer drive the Z. I don’t need to. I don’t need the false sense of control. I can make choices now that were impossible before I was forgiven. I can face the realities of life. I can see the shades of green, yellow, orange, and brown in the maple trees as I drive down my street. Do I miss the Z? Not much. If I honestly earn enough to purchase another, it might be worth it. But there are plenty of other ways to use that money that would make me happier.
Forgiveness simply made everything in life “taste” better to me. I see the world around me better. I thrill with the sight and the flavors of the food I eat more. I appreciate what I feel more. I enjoy what I smell more. The sounds that reach my ears please me more.
Forgiveness gave me more than the ability to enjoy the world around me. It gave me the affection of God. I am an outdoor person. I don’t like to stay inside four walls. I remember when I was just a boy, I was active. And I fell down and injured my knee. My precious mother came and picked me up. She held me. She stroked my head. She told me I would be all right. In her arms, I felt secure and content. I was safe and happy. My world was good.
When God forgave me, my world was all right. I felt the same sense of comfort and security. I felt protected. I realized that whatever happened to me, I was held in the invisible arms of God. I felt as though He were stroking my head and telling me, I would be okey.
Life is thrilling when I sense the affection of God. I feel like a lion cub. It is as though my mother (or rather my heavenly Father) watches me play. He lets me wander around and explore and tussle with my siblings. But when He sees me wander too far or play too rough, He catches me ever so gently by the nape of my neck and carries me back to where I am safe.
Forgiveness gives me the freedom to enjoy this moment and all that surrounds me without any fear, or frustration. Forgiveness gives me an inner sense of security and contentment. And forgiveness gives me hope for the future.
I was always an optimistic kind of person. But in my optimism, I felt a certain discomfort with eighty years of life being all there is. I didn’t want to die and it all be over. Even in a life filled with excitement and dread, thrill and fear, constant emotional crutches to distract me from the unspoken ache of heartache and horror in my heart, I didn’t want life to be so short. Forgiveness gave me for the first time a life worth living for more than eighty years. It also gave me the real expectation of eternity. Should I be laid in an earthly grave temporarily, I still look forward to enjoying the world that surrounds me—forever. Should I fertilize the flowers of the field a little while, I am thrilled to enjoy the sense of safety and affection provided to me now by the Invisible God, for eternity where I can see God face to face.
I don’t take forgiveness for granted. I realize that a little ingratitude could throw it all away. I realize that being forgiven gives me the responsibility to forgive others. I realize that the more I am forgiven, the more I want to be forgiven for everything that I have done to injure Jesus or any of His children on this world. There is no way I can explain forgiveness. It has to be experienced to fully appreciate it. But being forgiven has been the best thing that ever happened to me. And it is the best thing I can ever wish for you. Won’t you join me in living a life anchored in the forgiveness of God?