I had the opportunity to attend my 30th high school reunion last summer. And while, for the most part, it was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends and acquaintances that I haven’t seen in over 25 years, I also had the opportunity to see some people that brought back some pretty painful memories. It was very bittersweet for me. These painful memories were some of the best times, and some of the worst times in my life, in fact the very lowest points that led me to God in the first place. But I realize I wouldn’t be where I am today in my relationship with God if not for the pain that drove me to Him.
As most of us do, I made some mistakes in high school, even some extremely big ones; decisions that impacted my closest relationships and left a huge hole in my heart that only God can fill. Decisions that will impact me for eternity. I still have regrets that I didn’t work harder to communicate and share my pain. I should have attempted to make certain decisions with the input of another, instead of blazing forward with my own choices, covering my heartbreak and fear in a show of strength and determination, oblivious to the unspoken wants and needs of another. And the fact that my decisions likely left deep and wounding scars in others is, at times, too heavy a burden for me to bear alone. So I took that pain to God and allowed Him to begin the process of healing me, but I had to turn my back on one of the closest relationships I had on earth at the time, and I know he didn’t understand then; I’m sure he still doesn’t understand now.
All that to say, I gained an eternal perspective after that high school reunion – the pain of your past, even the pain of today, are but ripples in the tapestry of eternity. God reminded me that He is the God of every moment; He was with me then, and He’s with me now. And while I thought my pain was dealt with long ago, I’ve come to find pieces of it still yet reside under the surface. But it is that pain, that horrible sin, that anchored the Lamb of God to the cross in my place, and so it anchors me to Him. He is the One who was, who is, and who is yet to come again. He is worthy to receive all the glory, all the praise; He is the One I bow before and He is my King. He reigns over my life in power and strength; He is forever crowned and exalted high above all my mistakes, and He loves me with an everlasting love. I cannot live without Him.
So I want to encourage you today. He sees all your scars, the broken and missing pieces of your heart, the mistakes of your past, and He loves you anyway. There is no sin too great that can keep you from Him, unless you allow it. In fact, He set aside his glory in heaven, crossed eternity, laid down his life and allowed himself to be beaten near death and then crucified on a cross because He loves you so much; He wants to reconcile you back into relationship with Him, right now. What are you waiting for? There is no hurt too deep, no sin too great, that God cannot cover and heal. Trust me when I say, He will forgive you much faster than you can forgive yourself – for whatever you may have done. If you haven’t yet done so, I urge you to turn to Him today and choose your eternity with Him.
Until next time, be blessed!!
Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)
CHOOSE YOUR ETERNITY 