As I dipped the roller into the paint pan and rolled the
thick, white paint onto the walls, I was reminded of how much God loves us.
This wall that we were painting was nothing special. We were at a rehab center
that was planning on opening in the next couple of months to help drug/alcohol
addicts claim freedom over their addiction. A former addict managed the rehab
center; he had such a genuine heart for helping others find that freedom.
As I was getting frustrated at not being able to cover up
the water rust stains with the white wash paint we had, I thought about the
number of times we still think that we are stained even after God has white
washed us. As I continued to try and cover up the dirt and rust, I thought
about my own life and how many times I was not living as if I was forgiven. I
so often focus on my blemishes or past mistakes. I am the one that focuses on
my moments of “oops.”
Now think about Christ when He forgives us. He covers us
with His blood. Period. He doesn’t see the remains of rust or blemishes. He
completely white-washes us. The best kind of white wash a person can get. Now
are we willing to live in that freedom. Are we willing for forgive ourselves of
past mistakes and blemishes or are we continually holding onto our rust stains?
Do us not being able to forgive ourselves cause us to not fully see the picture
that God has painted for us? The picture of complete freedom! This month I was
reminded of when God says that He removes our sin as far as the East is from
the West that He does not hold onto any rust. I have chosen to forgive myself
and not look at the rust in my life, but instead walk into the fresh white that Christ has covered me with.
