You gotta use it!

My dear husband gave me a massage gift certificate this past Christmas. I love it!!! There's nothing like an hour in quiet, peaceful calm, with no kids around - anywhere. Such a thoughtful man.

Here's the problem... That gift certificate still sits on the shelf, unused. I know it's there. I know I'll love that blissful hour of pampering. But I still haven't used it.

Yesterday I wrote about how I struggle to appreciate the gift of God's forgiveness. He tells us that "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (Ps. 103:12 NIV). Spread your arms out wide. Our sin can never touch our lives once God has forgiven us. He also says, "Turn to God so your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." (Acts 3:19 NIV).

My husband gave me a generous, loving gift in that gift certificate. I received the gift. I know the massage will refresh and renew me. Yet, sitting unused, it is of no benefit. It can't refresh me. In much the same way, I am a Christian. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior long ago. That gift includes his forgiveness when I mess up. Like the gift certificate, though, His gift of forgiveness means nothing if I refuse to let it into my heart. It sits on the shelf, so to speak, unused. I keep beating myself up, and I do not get refreshed.

My prayer today is for all of us who struggle to accept God's forgiveness for our past sin. If that's you, will you join me and ask God to help you accept his generous, loving gift so you can be refreshed?

Dear God, Thank you for the gift of new life through your Son, Jesus. Thank you for sending him to die on that cross to pay the price for my sin. Please help me today to receive that gift fully and accept that you really did wipe the slate clean. I want to be refreshed, Lord. I want to walk in complete freedom and not dwell on my past mistakes. Lord, I lay my own inability to forgive myself at your feet. Please help me leave my past there. I love you, Lord. Thank you for loving me so much. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen