Why is Something so Easy, so Hard?

Yesterday started off as a better than usual day.  When I pulled up to the window at Starbucks, I was informed my drink had been paid for by the person in front of me.  You know, this act of kindness works best in a drive-through line.  A couple of times I have been fortunate enough for a kind person to purchase my pop at 7-11.  In these cases, it is always a little awkward.  I first try to convince them it’s not necessary to pay for my pop.  Then I thank them over and over, as they pay my bill, before walking out of the store usually at the same time and thanking them again until I get in my car.  There actually is the ability to deny the acceptance of the gift, and there is no anonymity.  However, at the drive-through window, accepting the gift is the only option.  It is already paid for.

Forgiveness is the same way.  It is already paid for and is there just waiting on us to accept it.  This is true for everyone, but why then do we sometimes not accept the gift that was paid for and given to us? Maybe you say to yourself, “I will never do that again.”  Like that makes it okay while only deceiving yourself.  Furthermore, thinking you have the power in yourself to change the behavior.  Maybe you choose to not accept the gift and just live with the guilt either because you think you are not worthy or you think forgiveness is meant not for you.  My personal favorite is to just pretend something never happened.  If it never happened, I don’t have to deal with it.

The directions for forgiveness are clear.  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8 – 9).  The word that gets me is “confess.”  This requires acknowledging that I actually did something wrong.  It requires that I admit I’m not perfect.  This isn’t easy for me.  However, if I never decided to get a Starbucks yesterday, I never would have received my free gift.  We have to make a conscious decision to confess our sins in order to receive the free gift of forgiveness.    Would you leave a gift under the Christmas tree, unwrapped and unclaimed?  I wouldn’t!  Don’t leave the freedom that forgiveness provides on the table just because you are not willing to confess or admit your mistakes.

Author: Angela Grunewald

Just a mom/wife/educator who loves the Lord and wants to share my thoughts. View all posts by Angela Grunewald