"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
She stared at her name--four letters swirled in blue ink across the page.
Her identity--past and present, good and bad--captured by one simple word. So simple, her forth grade face flushed from it's unmelodious sound sung in music class.
Life's disappointments named her, too: small, unnoticeable, insignificant. Her heart believed life's shouts, birthing shame packaged in shyness--squelched creative expression.
She was good. Deep down, she knew this. She. Was. Good. But her ears only heard the Enemy scream, "Not. Good. Enough."
Her core raged anger. Silent war waged against her heart. Walls went up and she took up arms--arms with clenched fists--against those who loved her, including the One who made her.
But He pursued, whispering "You. Are. Enough" until she heard Him. His grace-full hands reached down deep--rescued her heart.
His forgiveness freely given--freely received with unclenched hands--begged to be freely offered. And her fingers curled inwards. "But..." she started. His tender fingers gently silenced her words. "Give me your heart--wounds and all. Let me restore it--make it new," he said.
And as He restored, her walls crumbled, her fingers unfurled and her arms raised in praise to the One who makes all things new--even her.
Delighted, she asked, "How can I ever repay you?"
"You can't. But you can forgive as I have forgiven you," was his reply. "If you want to know true restoration, true freedom--then forgive."
She felt small again, traveling that narrow road called forgiveness. The journey was long but not impossible. He came with her. Walked ahead and sometimes carried her over dangerous passes. But, they made it and He stepped aside so she could offer her gift--forgiveness--with open hands.
Her gift offered became her gift received--freedom. She felt new deep down inside--heart new.
All this raced through her mind, still staring at her name. "How do you speak my name, God? What do you sing over me?" she dared.
God spoke, "Every day is new, pure, bright. You are all things new. Crawl upon my lap and watch me write your story on pure, white pages--words written in love, with my Son's blood. You see, your story begins new. Through Jesus, all things are new. You are new."
"Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' And He said to me, 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.'” Revelation 21:5
No comments:
Post a Comment