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If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we I live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:8 (NLT)
I attended a Suicide Prevention Seminar recently. The presenter was a well-known ‘expert’ in researching why people commit suicide. His hour long presentation showed the physiological, emotional and mental similarities with suicide. It was an incredible learning experience for me.
The one thing that has stuck with me since that session was his statement that most suicide victims don’t want to die; they just want to escape the pain. Their actions aren’t meant to hurt anyone or themselves. In their minds the only way to escape the pain they are in is to die.
He told a story of a young man who had decided to commit suicide. He had it all planned out. The day. The process. Everything. On the morning of his impending death he began to have second thoughts. He decided that if, in the process of his day, just one person would ask him how he was, if he was okay, etc. he’d tell them his plan and ask for help.
He was either crying or near tears all day. He came in contact with several people he knew and a few he didn’t know. In spite of his tears and obvious emotional state, not one person asked him what was wrong.
Fortunately, when he finally attempted to take his life, he was unsuccessful. He ended up in a hospital as a result of the attempt, and is now living with the scars of his attempt, but with freedom from pain.
All of us can feel, at times, like we are all alone, like no one really cares, like the things we do in life are futile and unappreciated. We bear the pain of past neglect or abuse. The question each of us must answer isn’t “Will I encounter pain in life?” but “How will I handle the pain I encounter.
People handle their wounds in different ways. Some turn to drugs and alcohol. Some turn to sex, lust and a variety of relationships. Others rely on anger, power, strength and violence, or take part in being the abuser rather than the abused. I’m convinced that most people don’t ‘sin’ to hurt others, or reject God. Sin is a symptom of deeper pain and an attempt to relieve that pain.
Pain, be it physical, spiritual or emotional, is inevitable. How we handle the pain in our lives can depend largely on the support system we have in place. People struggling with life need to know someone cares.
We can say to others that Jesus cares, but until they see that care manifested in our Lord’s tools, (his people) they will never fully understand what his care really means for them. You may think you can’t make a difference in people’s lives. That’s simply not true.
Just watching for signs of pain in the lives of others and asking ‘how is it going’ or ‘what’s wrong?’ may be the very thing they need to work through the pain. We don’t get involved in peoples lives because we are special; we get involved in people’s lives because they are special.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you have put me here for a reason. I ask for you help in dealing with my own pain. Help me use what you have given me to help others live free from their pain as well. Amen.
She answered, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “I also don’t judge you guilty. You may go now, but don’t sin anymore.” John 8:11 (NCV)
When Jesus stood before the woman caught in the act of adultery, he held in his hands the power to forgive or condemn. Not based on the law, for according to the law her guilt was established. Her condemnation rested in the fact that he was God.
Still, when he asked her who condemned her, the answer was “No one, sir”. Her accusers were gone, only Jesus remained. And in his eyes the woman didn’t see condemnation, she saw forgiveness. Imagine what a relief that must have been. One moment surrounded by her accusers with death imminent, the next, alone with Jesus!
Mankind is so ready and willing to condemn us for our sin, especially those steeped in religion. There is no feeling so painful as being guilty and surrounded by those intent on reminding us of our guilt. Human forgiveness is often dependent on our ability to prove ourselves worthy; or proof of a change in our lives; or our asking forgiveness.
The adulterous woman had no opportunity to prove herself worthy of forgiveness. The law was clear. There were no second chances. There would be no waiting period on Jesus part to see if life-change occurred. His forgiveness came without a single word from the woman. No record of her remorse. No record of a single word spoken by her until Jesus asked “Who condemns you?”
I’ve heard a million sermons on what Jesus wrote in the sand that day. The words written in the sand weren’t nearly as important as what was written on the heart of the woman. Not condemned. Forgiven. Free of accusation. Clean. Valued. Loved. Those are just some of the words that come to mind.
Whatever Jesus wrote in the sand that day isn’t as important is what he writes on our hearts everyday of our lives. He didn’t come to condemn you. He didn’t come to point out your faults or remind you of your failures. He didn’t come to punish you. He came to forgive you and grant you mercy and grace.
Your past isn’t important. Your current situation has no bearing on his love and willingness to come to you to heal you. The most important words Jesus has for us are written on our hearts, and they are written in his blood. It’s time to let go. It’s time to move on. He’s engraved your freedom on your heart with his hand.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I fail so miserably and so often. I’m still haunted by the scars of my past, still reminded by the enemy and other people that I’ve failed. Thank you for the words of forgiveness engraved on my heart. Empower me to live in the freedom you have given me. Amen.
“Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 (NCV)
Isn’t it nice to feel chosen by someone? When we are growing up we love to hear mom or dad pick us up and say “You are my little boy/girl”. Our children long to hear the words “I’m proud of you!” As young adults it’s exciting when that special someone says, in a variety of ways, “I choose you. I want you to be with me forever.”
Unfortunately, the opposite is true far too often. Children, especially those from families torn apart by divorce, grow up wondering why they were put into this world. Young people see the world wracked by war, disease, and political turmoil and wonder why things are the way they are, how long before we self-destruct and why they were put in this world. We adults worry about being able to stay healthy, make our financial obligations, and hold our relationships together.
Life seems to go easier when we feel we have a purpose for being here. The path we travel can take us through times of wilderness. We can travel through areas of our lives when the path is shrouded in darkness, or at best enveloped in a fog that keeps us from knowing our direction in life. Our journey can elevate us to the highest mountain top, or through the deepest valley.
No matter what you are going through right now; regardless of the reason for finding yourself in the situation you are in, life is easier when you know you have a purpose for being here and that someone cares if you are successful.
Remember this, with God there are no unplanned pregnancies, no ‘accidents’ when it comes to conception. You are here as a result of a plan God instituted long before your mother gave birth. Regardless of what people tell you about your lack of value, God formed you as you are. The aimlessness of life you feel is God’s call to bring you closer to himself. Your failures are God’s instrument to help you grow stronger in life.
For Jeremiah, his calling was a prophet. For you it may be to show Christ’s love to the kids you teach, the people you package the fast-food burger, the lonely old couple at table 7, or the sick child in the hospital room. Whatever your calling, you were placed here by the Creator God of the Universe to grow in relationship to him and show his love and grace to those who cross your path.
You are NOT an accident my friend. You are a masterpiece created by the master creator himself. Don’t listen to the voices that want you to believe otherwise.
PRAYER: Thank you God for making me just the way I am. Thank you for putting me where you have in life so I can show those around me the love of Jesus. Strengthen me for the battles ahead through your Holy Spirit. Amen.
And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:21-23
A story of two men. Both had walked with Jesus. Both had seen the blind given their sight, the crippled healed and the demon possessed freed from bondage. Both were given power from on high to perform miracles. Yet they went two completely different directions.
We don’t know much about the background of Judas Iscariot. Tradition says he was the son of wealthy parents and a good businessman. Judas hooked up with Jesus after following the ministry John the Baptist. While we don’t hear much about Judas, he seemed to be well-trusted by the other disciples since he was in charge of the money and, no one suspected he would be the one to betray Jesus.
Peter, on the other hand was a fisherman. He was used to hard, honest work. He was a leader among the disciples and one of Jesus’ inner circle. You could count on Peter to be in virtually every discussion. Most times, when Peter spoke, the rest of the disciples got behind him in agreement.
Both men are known in for their actions at the time of Jesus’ murder. Judas will always be known for his betrayal of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. His actions led to Jesus’ arrest and subsequent hanging on a tree. Ironically, Judas also died hanging from a tree, but his death was ruled suicide.
Peter, on the other hand is remembered for denying Christ in the courtyard of the High Priest just hours after he pledged his undying support of Jesus. As usual, the rest of the disciples (including Judas no doubt) agreed with him. Jesus looked Peter straight in the eyes and told him that Peter would deny him not once, but three times before the rooster crowed that very morning.
The severity of the ‘sin’ really isn’t an issue in this story. In reality, both men betrayed Jesus. Judas’ betrayal was with a kiss. For his actions he was rewarded with money and no doubt some status and power among the religious aristocracy.
Peter betrayed Jesus with words and attitude for self-preservation. The priests were uninterested in Jesus’ disciples at this time. Peter and the others were really in little, if any danger. There was no monetary gain in Peter’s betrayal (denial). His was an action devoted to simply saving his own skin.
There’s another similarity between the two men in this story. Both felt extreme guilt for what they had done. Judas turned to religion for support and healing. He was told that his actions were his problem. That’s the way religion and legalism works. Fault, blame and guilt are always returned to you. If you fail, you must just try harder. If you fail to severely, or too often, you are beyond hope. When Judas left the Temple for the last time that day he was a broken man. Wounded and hopeless, he could no longer bear the weight of guilt. He took his own life.
Peter was also wounded. The Bible tells us he went out and wept. The fact that we are told he wept doesn’t imply Judas didn’t. I think both men wept bitterly. The difference was in what they did once the tears and the knot in their stomachs loosened. While Judas was tying the noose, Peter went to the cross.
True healing comes through confession, brokenness and turning away from self and towards Jesus. The Bible is clear. “But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done.” 1 John 1:9 (NCV)
It’s a simple process that leads to freedom from guilt. Confession leads to forgiveness and forgiveness means we are clean. Once and for all, so pure it is as though we never sinned.
The enemy tells us otherwise though. He loves to keep us subdued, entrapped in the power of guilt. Guilt affects every part of our body. Guilt causes anxiety and fear. Guilt causes us to spend our future regretting our past. Guilt has such power over us that it not only causes emotional distress, but physical distress as well. Psychologists tell us that 10% of the population is currently taking medication for anxiety. A large part of that anxiety is worry over our past.
The Psalmist describes how many of us struggling with guilt feel when he says, “My body is sick from your punishment. Even my bones are not healthy because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me; like a load it weighs me down. My sores stink and become infected because I was foolish.” Psalm 38:3-5 (NCV)
It’s time to reclaim what Jesus did on the cross. It’s time for you to once and for all, forget about all the arguments and all the lies religion has told you about this man Jesus. He is the only way you will get the relief you need.
After Judas was dead, Peter met Jesus on a secluded beach. The campfire was burning in the background. The aroma of the smoke carried the scent of freshly grilled fish. Jesus looked into his eyes and asked the question. “Do you love me Peter?” There was no mention of forgiveness for that was understood. Jesus had done his part. Now it was Peter’s turn. Now it’s your turn too.
Do you love Jesus? Are you ready to release the pain of the wound you bear so he can comfort you with the salve of his love and grace? Nothing you have done will keep him from asking you the same question. Stop listening to the lies of religion and the enemy. You are worth keeping. You are worth Jesus dyeing for you. Let him take away your guilt.
PRAYER: Jesus, like the Psalmist the guilt of my past is always before me. The wound I bear is a scab full of puss and infection. I hurt inwardly like no one understands. I confess my sin to you. I confess that I’ve been carrying baggage you took from me long ago. Cleanse my conscience and make me new again. Amen.
I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. Hosea 2:19 (NLT)
Every good love story has the same basic plot when you think about it. Boy meets girl and a friendship begins. It grows to love. It endures struggles along the way. Somewhere in the life cycle of the relationship something happens to threaten the very life blood of their love.
Let’s say, for the purpose of this story that the boy thoughtlessly hurts the girl. He does everything he can to make it up to her. But the wound is too great. Time and again he pleads with her to give him another chance. Time and again he is rejected. He showers her with gifts. He takes her to all her favorite places. He listens (something that he should have done before) and learns what things make her the happiest.
Finally, the final rejection comes. He realizes that the love he cherished so much will never be had. Painfully, he turns his back and walks towards the gate where his flight is waiting. His heart is heavy with remorse. His mind replays all the good times he had with her. He longs to hear her voice once more but he can’t hear it. He wishes just once more he could feel her soft and gentle touch on his arm the way she always used to as they walked the beaches together.
As he makes his way to the gate, he feels it. For a nano second he thinks it’s his imagination. Then the voice comes. “I love you. I forgive you. I can live without you but I don’t want too. Come home.”
He turns with tear-filled eyes to see her before him. He takes her to himself and holds her in his arms. The world goes on around them and they don’t notice. The gatekeeper comes up to ask him if he is ready to board but thinks twice and closes the gate in front of him.
After a tremendously long embrace and without a word they leave with her hand softly on his arm. And of course, they live happily ever after.
That, in a sense, is how our passionate father feels about us. He seeks us out. He longs for our love. He does whatever he can to draw us close in his arms. He’s not concerned about our faults. He’s not concerned about what we can do for him. He loves us and that is all that matters to him.
But like the young woman in the story, we hold the trump card. We are the ones that choose to accept his love or reject his advances towards us. The one huge difference in this story of course is that our Fathers love is pure and unconditional. Even though he may allow difficulties in our lives they are never intended to harm us but, rather, to make us grow stronger and draw us closer to him.
Your heavenly Father is passionate in his love for you. It’s not important where you are, what you have done in the past or what you bring to the table. He only wants to feel your touch on his arm and to hear your voice say “I love you. I choose you. I want to be with you forever.”
PRAYER: AH! Father God. Such love you have for me. Such passion I hear in your voice. I bring so little. You give so much. I stray from you but you are always there when I need you. Thank you for your love. Thank you for this most remarkable love story you have allowed me to be a part of. In Jesus name, Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 