Dear Annie Bingham,
I remember you. I remember all the fear and lies that you clothed yourself in, as if darkness could hide from light. As if fallacy could shield you from absolute truth. I remember the hurting. I remember sitting in your sadness, and pushing aside that little nagging thought that said “maybe I should open up my Bible for a change”. I can remember all the little details. From the feeling in the pit of your stomach, to all the sets of “1-2-1-2-1-2-3” you counted to distract your mind from the laborious task of grieving. I remember the shame, and the sin it resulted in as you hung on tight to all the wrong things.
But the Lord who called you redeemed does not remember.
Annie Bingham, in scripture it says “as far as east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). You can argue it away saying its only poetry. But as far as you can whittle it down the core of its meaning will remain the same. God has removed your iniquity from you. God has blotted out your transgressions. You are forgiven. You are redeemed.
You are free.
Your salvation is a gift, freely given to you by the God who created the heavens and the earth. He extends it towards you with an open palm. Take it. Hold it. And let Faith in Him be the light that guides you, the force that drives you, and the love that carries you all the way home to Him.
I remember you. I remember the way you felt when you watched the story of the crucifiction in silhouettes behind a sheet from a plastic table cloth on the floor at VBS. Even then your little 5 year old mind filled with wonder, knowing that although Jesus died, he rose again and saved you. I remember the joy you felt hearing 4 part harmonies echo up to high vaulted ceilings, knowing that God was glorified in the offering of praise.
All your life the Lord has been faithful to you.
You are loved immeasurably by your Heavenly Father. Through every lie, and every act of praise. Through every fear, and every step in faith. He loves you more than I could ever hope to, and thank God! Because in his holy and perfect love you are made new.
In Christ, you are free.
Love,
Annie Bingham
