Monday's Musing - Forgiven?

We celebrated Easter this past weekend. 

What's the point? 

Stores sent sales flyers that resembled those of Christmas advertising toys. 

So we're supposed to buy our kids new toys for Easter? Not sure exactly how that came about. Not participating in that. When I was a kid, I was thrilled to just get candy. 

Many people buy new clothes. This makes sense. Change is in the air and it's fun to move from the dark colors of winter to the bright colors of spring. 

Again, what's the point? 

It's to celebrate. 

What, you might ask?  

To celebrate forgiveness. Forgiveness of our sins, mistakes, regrets. 

This forgiveness came in the form of Jesus. He lived, died and rose again. And because of that, we can be made right with God. We can ask for forgiveness and be forgiven. 

Maybe you don't think you need it. 

I know I do. I could have some debilitating regrets without forgiveness.

I am grateful that there is a God who is in control. 

Who walks with me and gives me strength. 

Who loves me. 

But no more than he loves you. 

Who promises us new life, like that of spring. 

Who promises to wash away our sins. 

Who promises not make us pay for them.

Because his son came and took our place. Jesus said on the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." 

Wow.  

Forgive them. 

For they know not what they do. 

No angry rants from Jesus. No curses. No arrogance. 

He willingly died. 

For you. 

For me.

All of our sins can be forgiven. 

Sometimes as believers, we think we've gone too far, should have known better and don't deserve continued forgiveness. So we wallow in our misery. Or beat ourselves up. 

But here's a thought. 

Jesus died before you were born. 

Or before I was born. 

Is there really anything I can do that's outside of his grace and forgiveness? 

No. 

Run to him when you fail. When you sin. When you hurt others. 

Forgiveness awaits us. And the strength to forgive others as we have been forgiven. 

I'm sorry if Christians have seemed self-righteous. I'm sure I've fallen into that category. When we focus on behavior instead of the heart, we can have a false sense of self-rigtheousness. 

Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that we are all sinners. And God loves each of us.

You no more than me and me no more than you. 

Don't let others stand in the way of you being in a loving relationship with God. 

He offers us love and forgiveness. Through Jesus. 

What are you celebrating in your life right now?

Me? 

Forgiveness. 

Restoration of relationships broken by sin. 

God showing me his love during the hard times. 

How about you?

Monday's Musings

Some days, my heart is heavy.

Saying goodbye to a pet snake

It may be from big things like watching a loved one dying. Or it could be watching some one we love struggle with chronic illness. And feeling helpless for them. By being separated from our loved one in their time of need. Or suffering ourselves.

Little things can add up too. Disappointment over plans gone awry. Pets that get sick. Children that are sick. Changes in jobs, or location. Losing a friendship. Hurtful words spoken in anger.

While we want our lives to be happy and fun all the time, that just doesn't happen.

I'll be the first to admit that I'd rather be happy all the time. But that's not quite reality.

So what is reality?

Life hurts at times. Deeply sometimes.

But as a Christian, we have a hope that doesn't make sense. You see, we have a high priest who came to earth and suffered for us. For you. For me.

He put on an earthly body and felt our pain. Physical pain during the crucifixion. Emotional pain of betrayal. Hatred at the hands of those he came to save. He offered forgiveness for those who murdered him.

So when we suffer, or are sad and disappointed, it's easy to feel alone. Separated. Cut off.

But remember that there is One we can always cry out to. One who understands. One who understands our deepest pain, hurt and shame. And the One who can forgive and comfort us.

Ephesians 4:14-16
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

So if your heart is heavy, turn to the One who can comfort you. The One who loves you more than you can comprehend.

Does God Care Who Wins the Super Bowl?

While millions of fans are watching the Super Bowl, hoping their team wins, the question arises: Does God care who wins the Super Bowl?

Well, short answer: Yes.

But for the reasons we think? Probably not.

I enjoy watching the Super Bowl and the commercials.  Our family is just hanging out, eating, and laughing at the good ones. Personally, I really don’t care who wins this year. “My team” hasn’t been there for years. (Go Dallas!)

Since I don’t have a vested interest in this year, I started thinking about it. People are praying for God to help “their” team.

This is not a bad thing. Prayer is a great thing. But when we go to God with a list of our wishes, we sometimes we lose perspective on what prayer is about. We come to him with some great requests: forgive me (which he always answers) and help me listen to Your voice (another good one). Some good requests: please change me. Some laundry list requests: please change others, please take away all my pain, please do this, and please do that. Amen.

Some of our requests grow very self-centered: Fix everything for me. The way I want. God, make my team win.

Does God care about everything in our lives? Absolutely!

Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
          

But does that mean I know what is best for me? I pray like I do sometimes.

Right now, God is working in millions of peoples’ lives and hearts. Only he knows best who needs encouragement, discipline, humbling, love, and compassion. He makes decisions that are for the good of many.

I need to come to him and cast my cares on him, but leave the answers to him. To trust him that he will answer in the best way for his glory and my good. But his glory comes first. My good comes from that.

And as for who wins the Super Bowl? I’m leaving that to him.

No Fishing Allowed

I love fishing. Haven’t been in a while. But I still love fishing.

There is a peacefulness that comes from standing on the bank, shoreline or sitting in a boat and just casting, over and over again. The warm sun, the watery sounds, the fresh air. It relaxes me just to think of it.

And then there’s the excitement from “the tug.” You know it when you feel it. The fun has just begun. Depending on the fish, you may get quite a ride. Setting the hook and keeping tension right in the line is part of the fun and skills to be learned. Distinguishing between a fish, turtle or log is also part and parcel of fishing. Catching logs or seaweed isn’t fun. I know. I’ve had that happen.

But there is one type of fishing that is never good. That’s fishing for forgiven sins. Yet I do it all the time.

Why on earth do I do this? Because I don’t accept Christ’s forgiveness. Or because I feel the need to make sure I don’t commit that sin again.

So how do I recognize this type of fishing? It’s called living with regrets. Maybe bitterness. Worry. Unforgiveness.

When I ask God for forgiveness and accept Christ’s work on the cross, he casts my sins into the depths of the sea.

Micah 7:19: He will again have compassion on us;

he will tread our iniquities under foot.

You will cast all our sins

into the depths of the sea.

He does that so they’re out of my reach. He removes my sin from me and casts them away. To the depths of the sea. But I pull out the rods and go fishing. I let the regret of what I have or haven’t done overcome me.

This is when I need a great big sign that says clearly: 

YOU ARE FORGIVEN. 

NO FISHING ALLOWED!

So let’s put away our spiritual poles and stop fishing for old sins. Once we’re forgiven, it’s done. Live like it.

But pull out a pole intended for real fish and enjoy some quiet time with God, thanking him for forgiveness and enjoying the beauty of the world he created. And who knows, maybe you’ll actually catch a fish or two.