Yesterday I posted about coming out of the corner. I mentioned something about wondering whether there was paint still on my nose because of the way it seemed some people were looking at me. This morning I was reading in Max Lucado’s book, “Fearless” and it came to me that perhaps it’s not paint but that I continue to carry the corner with me.
Can you imagine how ridiculous a three or four-year old would look trying to carry their corner of punishment with them? It would be hard enough to just carry the time out chair and still be able to function or enjoy. As I tried to imagine that I got the picture of Laugh In’s Edith Ann (google or check youtube if you’re too young to remember) trying to haul around her great big rocking chair. It just couldn’t be done. And we were never meant to.
Our six year old grandson has a behavior that just infuriates his mommy and Pepa too. I’ll confess until just now as I was thinking about it, I didn’t much care for it either. We can be right in the middle of a good scolding and he all of a sudden is ready to move. The infuriating part is that it appears that he is dismissing what we’re saying. It comes across as pretty disrespectful. I know that if I would have just thought about doing something like that a hand would have been flying in the direction of my smart mouth. But what if it wasn’t sassyness or disrespect? What if this child really has something and it’s preciousness is not to be squelched or denied? He lets go and moves on.
Reflecting on this, I was reminded of a comment made by a pastor I heard many years ago, “God has dumped our sins into the Sea of Forgetfulness and posted a no fishing sign.” It made such an impression on me that I wrote it in my Bible so I wouldn’t forget. Trouble is I should probably tattoo it on my hand instead because out of sight is really out of mind, and practice. Typically you’re not going to find me fishing unless my keys are hiding in the dark depths of my purse or I’ve returned to that
Sea and I’m trying to carry some long forgiven sin. There’s little more non-sensical than this.
In an effort to find more lasting relief and release, I went to the scripture to find this Sea of Forgetfulness and while there is no exact reference there are definitely verses that support the concept. Here’s some of what I found:
Micah 7:19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Psalm 25:7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Hebrews 8:12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.
Hebrews 10:17 Then he adds: Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.
Others may see paint on me, but God doesn’t. He’s a lot more like my grandson–he’s ready to move on.
As I wrote this reflection I was reminded of a song that our choir sang at church recently. I found it one youtube:
I love this song. I even love this arrangement. When we sang at church some people complained because it just said the same over and over and over. And it does. But I love what it says. Maybe they don’t get it because they haven’t been someplace that they never, ever, ever want to go back to. Maybe because though they know they were bought with a price, they’ve never given much thought to the depth of that price–that it cost a life. All I do know, is that I’m never going back. No fishing in that putrid pool for me. And like Asher, I’m moving on.
Pot of Manna 