On
one of the broadcasts of his radio show “Guidelines”, Dr. Harold Sala told how
there is actually an unmarked grave that simply has the word “forgiven” written
on it. Nothing more, nothing less. There is no name, no year of birth, no year
of death, no dash; nothing except that single word.
While
we may not know the story of this person, as I see it, there are few words that
are more beautiful than the word “forgiven” to capture a life. Think about it with me. For example, a husband and wife enjoy married
life together, but even the healthiest, most stable, vibrant marriages will
have friction and hurt feelings sometimes.
That’s when it’s so powerful, liberating, and joyous to hear these words
from your spouse: “I forgive you.”
Friendship
is a wonderful gift, but the best of friends can say something they shouldn’t have said, or do something they shouldn’t have done. Bitterness, anger, and fury can easily come
pouring in. But the repentant friend
returns, seeking reconciliation.
Forgiveness is extended.
Estranged family members who were once angry, cold, and distant can be
completely restored to close fellowship through forgiveness. I could go on, but you get the point.
But,
as wonderful as these examples are to contemplate, it could very well be that
this grave is communicating how this departed individual was forgiven by the
God of the universe. Could there
possibly be anything better than a person who can honestly state, “I am
forgiven by God”? The beginning of Psalm
32:1 reads, “Blessed is he [or she] whose transgression is forgiven.” Let me be real with you: even after being a Christian for decades,
I still make unwise, selfish, sinful choices.
And yet, like the prodigal son in the story Jesus told in Luke 15, I
return to my Father, and I receive love, restoration, and forgiveness.
Kevin
No comments:
Post a Comment