Encouragement

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One cold December morning back in 2001, I was reading the introduction to one of Max Lucado’s books – I don’t remember the title off hand. In it was a moving story about a single mother in living in Chicago. She realized that she had made mistakes. She had regrets. I could envision the tears rolling down her cheeks… “But I really want to try again.”

I can identify with this single mother of two. I have made mistakes I have regretted. O how I wish I could turn back the ribbons of time and rectify those mistakes! I pleaded. But to no avail, the opportunity was denied. No mercy, no compassion, love or understanding. My attempts were summarily rejected.

Have you been there? Does this speak to your heart?

Maybe you’ve cheated and lost the best man or woman that has crossed your path? Maybe you’ve said something cutting and brutal in the heat of the moment. Whatever your story, it all involves a foolish mistake and ends in tears and regret. You have suffered immeasurable loss and the only hope is a "miracle in the valley of dry bones." You pray for another opportunity to “try again”.

Let’s talk about forgiveness through God’s eyes. The Word is full of examples of God’s forgiveness. In fact, God desires to forgive us from the start. He wants to restore relationships. He wants to restore the relationship with us individually. God is into the relationship restoring business. He communicates with us on a daily basis, speaking softly and tenderly to us. He is so into us that He knows exactly how to get our attention. His loving message may come through His Word, a billboard, a situation, an article (like this one), or through a sudden phone call. God’s methods of ringing our bell are inexhaustible. Often times, He uses odd people and circumstances. He wants us to realize beyond the shadow of doubt that it is He who is talking to us. When He moves, rest assured, we will know it is Him and only Him.

“How odd?” you ask. I am glad you did. Let’s look at Saul of Tarsus. We know him better as Paul, the beloved apostle who met Jesus on the road to Damascus. But do we really know the story of Saul of Tarsus? Saul was a Pharisee, a star student under Gamaliel. He was well versed in the Law. In his zeal, Saul was utterly devoted to the persecution of the “enemies of God”, i.e. the Christians. Through his father, Saul had blood ties with Rome thus making him a Roman citizen by birth. He was given carte blanche by the high priests of Jerusalem and by Roman government to eradicate any Jew who called Jesus their Lord and Savior. He went from house to house and town to town, imprisoning anyone who called themselves followers of the Way – men or women – it did not matter to Saul. I dare to say that Saul was as infamous as Torquemada, Adolf Hitler or Saddam Hussein. If anyone was a prime candidate for hell, Saul was it.

Yet, after Saul’s encounter with Messiah Himself, his life was changed forever. From that day forward, Saul of Tarsus, the greatly feared persecutor of the Christian church became our beloved brother, Paul, the great evangelist and author of two-thirds of the New Testament.

John Mark was a promise breaker and a deserter. He begged to go a mission journey. When he was finally allowed the privilege, he turned back and bailed on his brethren. After that incident, Paul wanted nothing to do with him. Paul was so set in his decision, that it caused a split between Barnabas and him – perhaps the greatest missions duo in history. However, Jesus used this man to write the Gospel of Mark – the same book that Matthew and Luke used as a basis to write their gospels.

How about all the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews Chapter 11? Do you think they were perfect? I can say absolutely not! Moses was a murderer and so was David. Abraham denied his wife. He was willing to allow a filthy heathen king to have his way with Sarah just to save his own skin. Rahab, who is counted as an ancestor of Jesus, was a prostitute. Gideon was a coward hiding from his enemies before God lifted him up to one of the great warriors of the Old Testament. Even before God raised him up to lead Israel to victory against the Midianites, the Angel of the Lord saluted Gideon by proclaiming, “…The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valor!” (Judges 6:12)

We humans are a fickle bunch. We want forgiveness, understanding, and a second chance for the mistakes we’ve committed. Yet when someone hurts us, the last thing we do is forgive. There’s no mercy in our hearts to the offender – brutality, cruelty, and an evil desire make them pay. Often, we want them to pay more than the offense deserves!

We need to ask God for a new revelation in our hearts. We need to see ourselves and others the way God sees us. My friends, God is very willing to use you for His Kingdom, no matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been. Let go of the past. Take hold of God’s hand and walk with Him to your remarkable future!

And you, Christian, who perhaps closed the door to a John Mark, how do you know what the Lord has in store for him or her? Your mercy and grace, the same one that Jesus showered on you, can be the turning point in this person’s life in service to the Lord!

It all starts with forgiveness – of you and of others.

Try again.

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