Much has been forgiven

Four years ago I was going through a very hard season in my life. Suffering, bitterness and resentment had taken over my heart. Everything was grey and dull.

Loneliness. Guilt. Remorse. Longing and revulsion. Pain.

To hide my weakness, I learned to pretend, and I fooled myself. But I didn’t fool Him. No one fools Him.

Despite my anguish, there was still honesty in me; and without knowing He would take that conversation seriously, I said to my Creator:

“I’ve heard about You.
I’ve heard about the sacrifice, the loneliness of the cross, the pain of betrayal and abandonment.
So You must understand me…”

I tore open my heart. I admitted my weakness and called my sin by its name.

There, in the darkness of my room and of my heart, the light of hope shone. Redemption made sense. I found the Savior when I admitted I needed Him. I came to know forgiveness and true love. I wasn’t afraid. He washed away all my shame. He covered my nakedness. He chose to forget my sin and cast it into the depths of the sea. That day I experienced undeserved love, priceless mercy and free restoration.

And because I have been forgiven much, I have loved much.

Because of Him, and only through Him, mercy triumphed over judgment. And because He forgave me, I was able to extend forgiveness. There is no longer any prison in memories, resentment or revenge.

For “it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.”

— Galatians 5:1,5