Repairing the irreparable ... Reflections on forgiveness God's toward us and ourselves toward ourselves with a story from the live of Robert Bruce of Scotland.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:34 (NIV)

Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

STORY:

In the 14th century, Robert Bruce of Scotland was leading his men in a battle to gain independence from England. Near the end of the conflict, the English wanted to capture Bruce to keep him from the Scottish crown. So they put his own bloodhounds on his trail. When the bloodhounds got close, Bruce could hear their baying. His attendant said, "We are done for. They are on your trail, and they will reveal your hiding place." Bruce replied, "It's all right." Then he headed for a stream that flowed through the forest. He plunged in and waded upstream a short distance. When he came out on the other bank, he was in the depths of the forest. Within minutes, the hounds, tracing their master's steps, came to the bank. They went no farther. The English soldiers urged them on, but the trail was broken. The stream had carried the scent away. A short time later, the crown of Scotland rested on the head of Robert Bruce. The memory of our sins, prodded on by Satan, can be like those baying dogs--but a stream flows, red with the blood of God's own Son. By grace through faith we are safe. No sin-hound can touch us. The trail is broken by the precious blood of Christ. "The purpose of the cross," someone observed, "is to repair the irreparable."

OBSERVATION:

“To repair the irreparable” … what a marvelous way to look at the purpose of the cross. Forgiveness in the midst of our own ignorance. Divine Love extended when it isn’t deserved.

Too many of us live a life of regret and get bogged down with our past. The reality of it all is not the forgiveness of God, but our own act of not forgiving ourselves. As the old saying goes, “We are our own worst enemy.” Each of us are aware of God’s forgiveness. We accept it with joy and celebration. But it is the incredible ability that we have to continue to carry the burden of the past around with us long after God has forgiven us for the silliness of human folly. God’s grace is sufficient … living into that is an act of faith.

PRAYER:

Thank you, God, for forgiving us. Help us to extend that forgiveness to ourselves.