Stop, Look -n- Listen: Records

What are you keeping records of?

Are you keeping records of those who wronged you? Like that family member who should have loved and protected you, but didn’t? Or that one sick person who violated you decades ago? Maybe it’s your friend who betrayed you? Or your sibling who forgot your birthday? Maybe it’s fresh, an argument from last night. Is there anyone who comes to mind when I ask you about keeping records?

Okay, maybe that’s not your issue. Maybe you are more self focused and you keep book after book of the things you’ve done wrong. Maybe it’s that one moment that changed your life forever, you know that dark secret. Or how ’bout the endless amount of times you’ve failed in your marriage or parenting or in friendship? Can you list those times easily? Do you feel the sting of failure and defeat each morning? Are you ashamed of who you really are so much so you avoid a mirror?

Well if you are keeping records, I have a word of you today.

I repeat, LOVE keeps NO record of wrongs.

So who is love?

GOD IS LOVE! (see 1 John 4)

So if God isn’t keeping any records of wrongs, why are you? Why am I? It’s time to burn some records once and for all, don’t you think?

*Forgive those who’ve wronged you in your past. It’s for your healing. You’ll feel lighter.

*Forgive yourself once and for all. You’ve carried your secret long enough. Jesus died to set you free of that one thing.

The truth is God loves you too much to let you live your life carrying ugly records. Record books are too heavy to lug over your shoulder day after day, year after year, or even decade after decade.

God wants you free. Free here and now on earth. Free to be who you are:

Loved and forgiven no matter what you did or someone else did.

I’m praying for you today, whoever you are.

Father God, help me hand over the records I’ve been clinging to for so long. Help me walk with you in love. Free of wrongs. Help me keep records of beautiful things. Those memories that touch my heart. The things I see and hear that are good. Record Your love on my the tablet of my heart. In Jesus name, Amen

God loves to use the simple, everyday, ordinary things to speak His word to me. I hope you will stop, look and listen today. God is speaking. Yes to YOU!!

About radio, Our Hiding Place is still in hiding from summer break. Yesterday, we looked ahead at our September calendar and we decided we will wait until October to come back. Thank you for your understanding and prayers. Turtle Girls are asking God for a fresh fire to share on the air. 🙂