A Lesson Learned on Monkey Bars

[soso]

A Lesson Learned on Monkey Bars
Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

He (God) is so rich in kindness that He purchased our freedom /through the blood of His Son, and our sins are forgiven

(Ephesians 1:7, NLT).

Friend to Friend

One of our grandchildren is seven years old and desperately wants to learn how to maneuver Monkey Bars. “Mimi, will you take me to the park /so I can practice?” Justus asked. “Absolutely, honey! Let’s do this!” I responded. I remembered how hard I worked to become the fastest girl /on Monkey Bars /when I was in first grade. I was certain () I could help Justus, so off we went!

When we got /to the playground, not another person was there. Perfect! I looked at Justus and said, “Show me what you have learned so far.” Justus grinned and started toward the bars. He then stopped and said, “I have only tried once, Mimi.

You have a lot of work to do.” I was up for the task!

I soon saw the problem. Justus climbed the ladder, put one hand /on the closest bar, let go and swung /to the second bar. That was it. He wouldn’t let go of the first bar /in order to swing /to the third bar. He looked like an adorable human wishbone.

After working with him for about 15 minutes, he was zipping down those bars like a monkey. The grin on his face was priceless!

The thought occurred to me that we often have the same problem () Justus had. We refuse to let go of the past /in order to reach out and take hold of what God has for us /next. [Dealing with and letting go of the past] is essential to our spiritual growth.

In fact, [one of the key factors in my ongoing battle with clinical depression] is letting go of past sin and pain. The shadows of yesterday can so easily become the dark clouds of today. In order to deal with the darkness life can hold, we must deal with sin – first, in a personal relationship with Christ and then on a daily basis as a believer.

Every believer has two problems /when it comes to dealing with sin. First, we must confess sin. I know it sounds simple,

but so many of us have lost our sensitivity /to sin /because we are aligned /with the world /instead of with God. The mark of a believer growing in grace is sensitivity to sin.

When I was a little girl, I hated wearing shoes. But when the first day of summer came along, I would kick off my shoes and store them in my closet – wearing them only when absolutely necessary. Even now, I can remember the painful sensations of playing on the gravel road /beside our house. The sharp rocks cut and bruised my tender feet – at first - but by summer’s end, my feet were rough and calloused. I could run, jump and play /for hours /on the rocks //that had once caused so much pain.

* callouse 캘러스; (of a part of the body) having an area of hardened skin.

Sin is much the same. The first time () we commit a sin, it breaks our heart, but the next time () we commit that same sin,

it doesn’t hurt quite as much. Our heart becomes calloused /to that sin () we repeatedly commit and a foothold is formed,

making a place for darkness to reside. We must confess sin completely, confidently and continually.

Jesus is faithful and will keep [His promise /to forgive and to cleanse us from all sin].

* 3형식 분사구; making [a place for darkness /to reside] 부정사구는 place 수식 형역

  5형식이 아님 making [a place for darkness] [reside] (X)

Psalm 103:12 (NIV) “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

[The second problem () we have with sin] is [forgetting forgiven sin]. Is it even possible to experience true forgiveness?

While we can’t totally blot out a memory, we can make sure () it’s no longer a live issue /in our lives. God’s way seems too easy – to just ask and receive. We act /as if the Holy Spirit needs our help or as if what Jesus did on the cross was not enough.

We feel like we must make additional payments /for our sin /by doing something /when Micah 7:19 is clear about God’s attitude toward our sin, “Once again You will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under Your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean” (NLT).

The problem comes when we revisit confessed sin, when we “go fishing” in the waters of our past.

The core of any pit in life is often riddled with sin () we have never acknowledged or dealt with. Guilt and shame surround each transgression and since condemnation seems like the logical solution, we allow the darkness to consume us as payment for each sin. Like Justus, we need to learn how to let go and move on.

Let’s Pray

Father, I am so tired of trying to live today while carrying the baggage of my past. Please give me the courage to face the sins ()

I have tried so hard to bury. Help me turn away from each one, leaving it in Your hands. Thank You, Lord, for Your grace, Your mercy and Your love. Please fill my heart with the light of Your forgiveness.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.