Can I forgive sharp teeth?

This weeks poster is a familiar movie monster.  I like what People of the Second Chance had to say:

Jaws represents the unprovoked attack. The terrifying unknown, preceded by reputation and worst-case scenarios.

And they asked:

So what do you believe? Do you have a shark in your life? Have you forgiven them?

I had to think for a bit to remember the "jaws" in my life.  This lack of immediate memory helps me see how far I have come from the shock, pain and trauma.

I was thirty years old and seven years into a job at a major university.  I had started as an hourly paid accounting clerk, receiving praise and promotions on a regular basis.  Whatever work was thrown at me I handled with skill and accuracy, until I found myself moved into a salaried, more professional position as an admistrative assistant and office manager.  I believed that I had good relationships with those who worked for me as well as those I reported to.  The work was surely less than exciting, but the pay continued to increase.  I put my time in while filling my nights and weekends with friends, drinks, music and other less than positive habits.

I had just been notified of another promotion and raise when I found myself summoned to the director's office.  Seated around the desk were the director and assistant director of personnel for the entire university.  I assumed the meeting was about an issue with one of my staff members.  I felt a sudden and intense flush of heat overcome me as I listened to voices informing me that I was being put on suspension for an unknown period of time while they began to investigate a claim of sexual harrassment filed by a male employee who had quit a month prior.  Not only was this totally untrue, but when he had quit he said he didn't really want to leave, but he had found a better paying job. I was told to leave immediately and not to make contact with anyone I worked with.  The shark had bit, I left bleeding.

The days ahead included tears, anxiety and confusion.  I actually believe the charges were fabricated as an excuse to force me into resigning.  I never really knew what happened, and unless God chooses to reveal the scenario to me, I will never know.  Life had to move on.

Years later, after circumstances that led to my encounter and surrender to Jesus I have come to realize that God used the situation to shake up my life in ways I never would have done on my own.  I have been able to truly forgive all those involved, in much the same way that Joseph forgave his brothers:

Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people
Genesis 50:20 The Message

The sharks, like all God's creatures are never beyond forgiveness.

Visit People of the Second Chance to read more about Jaws

 

Corrupt - but aren't we all?

Lies.  Corruption. Lack of repentance.
This could be a great time to throw stones.
Let's not.
Remember what Jesus said:

They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”  John 8:7 NLT

I now dwell happily in the Canadian prairies, but the majority of my life was spent in the Chicago metro area.  Political corruption wasn't an exception, it was the norm.  Yet each one that pointed a finger also condemned himself.

If one is beyond forgiveness then the same is true of all.  Instead of counting sins, why not look at the ways God can and will be glorified as grace flows and redemption arises!

All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down Romans 5:20 The Message
 
Living loud what my heart believes with others at People of the Second Chance

Loving the wounded and the wounders

Week piles onto week in the Never Beyond series.
With each new poster, God exposes a bit more of the darkness in my heart.
I continue to pray as David prayed:

Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  Psalm 139:23-24 Amplified

I am not proud with what has been exposed in me; doubt, anger, fear.

This week, we look at people who lived lives in God's service.  It would take too long to list those that they wounded; young children, parents, the innocent;  believers who placed their trust in those they thought God had chosen to lead them, then found they could not trust in God Himself.

A defensive spirit rises up in me spewing ugly words, "how dare they misrepresent our loving Father?" as if the Lord needed me to defend Him.

As I wait, in stillness, convicted by my own judgements, I hear His voice.

I love the wounded.  I also love those that inflict the wounds.
There is no wound so deep that I cannot heal.
There is no inflicter of wounds too far from the reach of My grace.
Go and live likewise.

Joining with others at People of the Second Chance, learning to walk in outrageous grace.

Redeemed from "the dark side"?

I may be one of the few people of my age who has never seen even one film in the Star Wars series, but even I know that Darth Vader was considered a "bad guy".

I sat down with my husband to ask him what he knew about this character.  What he shared was that the character had been a Jedi Knight who went over to the dark side, influenced by the darkness he did indeed become an agent for evil.

Are any of us beyond becoming moved by forces that are less than pure?  Are any of us worthy of judging those who fall?

Our hero, Luke Skywalker could not even believe that someone as "bad" as Darth was his father, not until Darth gave up his own life to save him.

I'm reminded of the words of the preacher in Cowboys and Aliens:

"Sometimes good men do bad things.  And sometimes very bad men do good things."

I need the gavel taken from my hand, for there is only One able to know all the facts and details, only One Who is worthy to judge the hearts of man.

Will you agree with me in prayer, asking the Lord to impart more of His grace into our hearts and lives?

People of the Second Chance ask us to raise our voices for second chances, to overthrow judgement and liberate love. Will you join us?

Beyond another chance?

This week's poster depicts Mike Tyson.  I am not a fan of boxing so I admit to not knowing much good about Mike, all I ever heard about was the outrageous behaviors, the hurting, the biting....

I know nothing about his childhood, his upbringing, how much hurt he may have walked through and carried with him.  I don't even know if he knew Jesus.

I do know that hurt animals lash out, spewing forth from deep wells of pain.  Our Lord gave Himself to take that pain away, not just for those we think of as "good" but for each.one.of.us.

People of the Second Chance ask us to raise our voices for second chances, to overthrow judgement and liberate love.  Will you join us?

Is anyone beyond forgiveness?

The Lord continues to move my heart with the things that touch His as He works with His chisel to form and reform me.  I believe it is by His design (for there truly are no consequences) that I was drawn to People of the Second Chance a collection of those who want to move in the kind of grace our Lord walked in, people who know what it is like to be forgiven and redeemed.

I am both blessed and challenged to be a part of promoting the Never Beyond Poster Series:

We all have people we would and wouldn’t give a second chance — lines drawn and beliefs formed about who we could forgive. 

We will be sharing 25 posters representing well known historical, current and fictional characters who are believed to have harmed society. This campaign consists of digital and print posters and the full collection will eventually be displayed as a touring art exhibit.  

The campaign draws out themes of forgiveness, grace and what a pathway to a second chance looks like.

The images may at times seem a bit vague.  This is by design, for the faces could just as well be yours, or mine.  Haven't we all needed a second, or third, or 1,000 chance?  While we ask for forgiveness for ourselves we often withhold it from those we deem beyond redemption.  I pray that through the coming weeks we will be able to see through the eyes of Christ and allow His heart to pulse deep in our spirits.

This week, the kick-off poster is of Casey Anthony.  People were outraged that she was not given the punishment many felt that she deserved when she was indeed given a second chance.

Before joining in the cries for revenge, stop for a moment and ponder -- have you received the punishment you deserve for your sins?

I pray that many of you have set down the stones you meant to throw.

I'll be back next Tuesday with thoughts on the next poster.