Lightening the load
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. – Acts 3:19
On the TV series Biggest Loser one of my favorite challenges was towards the end of the season when the participants had to hike a hill with a backpack carrying weight equal to the amount they had lost throughout the series. On each leg of the journey they would remove the weight that corresponded with that weeks weight loss. You could see the relief on their faces as they climb higher and higher, less hindered by the old weight.
During my devotional time today I looked at the book cover of Royal Records and thought of the path that the girl was walking on. It is up a rocky hill, above the clouds, with the unknown just around the bend. Sometimes I day dream about walking that trail with her and that picture helps make it more vivid. You’ll notice that the girl is not weighed down with a heavy backpack full of weight she is not meant to carry.
Over the last few weeks the Lord has graciously pointed out a few areas of my life that need refinement and repentance. While it has been painful and even embarrassing to be made aware of my shortcomings, I know that He is only doing it for my own good.
Some of these areas I have repented for in the past, but it was done halfheartedly, which only shifted the weight of those sins from one place to another, never fully ridding myself of them. But God has brought me to a place of true Godly sorrow for my actions and I want nothing more than to throw off the weight of sin, guilt and shame.
Once I truly repented, for a few days I wondered if God was disappointed in me because of my previous insincerity, but again He lovingly reminded me that a good Father disciplines His children and that nothing I’ve ever done or will do could change the way He loves me.
What a relief! Like the contestants mentioned above, I didn’t realize just how much weight I had been carrying around until it was completely removed and as a Daughter of The King I was restored to a right relationship with God. In His correction, God was not only doing what a Godly Father would do, but He was also preparing me for the journey ahead making sure I was not packing around needless weight that would hinder my walk with Him.
Father, thank you for your correction, teaching and leading and for reminding me how much you love me. Thank you for removing my sin and the weight it carried, when I humble and sincerely repented. You are a wonderful, loving Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.