“Here I am Lord and I’m drowning in Your sea of forgetfulness. The chains of yesterday surround me.”
~East to West, Casting Crowns
I wonder if we place ourselves on the beach of this sea, looking out and remembering our sins. Satan calls us forward and God calls us back. We take steps just barely into the water, believing that a little guilt and remorse is healthy. What we don’t realize is that this sea has a powerful undertow. I got swept away and was drowning, overcome with what I had done. The chains beat against me and I thrashed and cried and couldn’t breathe. But God was there to pull me out and the rope He used was my boyfriend. On the beach I got my breath back but facing God was still a challenge. I knew I needed Him but I was still too close to the sea with seaweed chains hanging on to me. The power that had pulled me under was still on my face. Yet my boyfriend pulled me away from the sea and toward God. I was able to face God as I should- guiltless.
This sea is a beautiful thing God has made to separate our sins from us. But as with most things God has created, Satan has corrupted it. The power and forgiveness of the sea of forgetfulness as the waves crash against the shore are wonderful. But the undertow on the beach and in the shallow is dangerous. Beware of “healthy guilt” for there is no such thing once you are forgiven!
“The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
”This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds:
”Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.”
And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
~Hebrews 10:15-23
