restored

Have you ever done anything wrong? It’s a stupid question, I know. We’ve all messed up in numerous ways. We’ve violated our consciences, hurt our loved ones, damaged our own souls, and ignored God’s requirements. There are good things we’ve failed to do and bad things we should never have done.

We’re all guilty. More times than we’d like to admit, we have disregarded truth and placed ourselves in a precarious position before our Maker. But this is not the entire story, for the same One whose ways and commands we’ve ignored, the very same Creator whose heart we have broken, has promised to forgive our countless misdeeds and restore our sanity, making us whole.

When we screw things up–and we’re so prone to in many obvious ways–there is often a sense of shame that accompanies our behavior. We’ve blown it, and we know it. Though we’ve promised a million times to “get it right,” we once again find ourselves humbled by our own foolishness choices.

At this point, we tend to beat ourselves up. Having recognized the error of our ways, we simmer in a mixed state of anger and frustration, wanting to make things right. Personally, I understand these reactions, for they at least indicate that we possess a distaste for that which is harmful and idiotic; at least our frustrations reveal that there is indeed something (and Someone) to which (to whom) we are accountable.

But there is a better way, the way of mercy and restoration, the way of forgiveness and grace. You see, God is not some concept for theologians to debate. He’s not trapped within the confines of “religious” activities. And he’s certainly not to be considered a disinterested deity, a deity who is unconcerned about our lives.

No, God is a personal being, a being who has sent his one and only Son to earth in order to rescue and restore us. Indeed, it is because of his Son that you and I can unhesitatingly turn to him at any moment. We don’t have to wait until Sunday. We need not go to church. Our relationship with him is not for a second dependent on the presence of some member of the clergy. While Sundays, church, and clergy all have their proper place, all you really need is right in front of you. You need this same God, who promises that he will not forsake you.

So, you’re struggling with a sense of remorse. You feel guilty because you are guilty. That is, your awful feelings are a result of your inappropriate choices. So, what do you do? Sometimes, when we mess up, there is restitution to pay–if you’re caught running a stop sign, saying you’re sorry doesn’t eliminate the fact that you may have to pay a fine. Other times, there are important practical things we can and should do (e.g., apologize to someone we’ve wronged). But, at the end of the day, our sense of stability and peace is provided by the God of love.

In one place it is stated like this: “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). You can’t get any more separated than east is from west! This is another way of saying, God will forgive us, and he won’t ever remind us of our previous indiscretions. He can do that, after all, for he is God.

So, you’ve done it again. Welcome to the club. We’ve all “been there” more times than we know. The way ahead, however, is not all darkness and gloom. The path before us is one of forgiveness and grace, and it is ours–at any moment, in any place, whatever the specific circumstances–when we simply and sincerely ask for it. So, ask!

But what is next? Well, I think it’s relatively simple. When someone has done something wonderful for you, you think about it, and you appreciate it. What, then, ought our response be? What does God require? Simply that we turn him where we are, asking for his restorative grace and invigorating love, reflecting on how good he must be to freely grant us such forgiveness. There is no formula. There are no special words. All we need is simple faith, ongoing faith, and he takes care of the rest. Indeed, he provides “the rest.” By childlike faith, we can be (will be) restored.