Empty Pages

What will you write in the chapters of your life in the year to come? We who believe have the wondrous promise of forgiveness. There are remarkable verses that give us that assurance. Oddly enough some of the most popular come from the Old Testament. You know that Old Covenant of works, devoid of grace. (This was sarcasm for the literalist among us) For example: Psalm 103:12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." or Micah 7:19, "He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea." Even the often quoted, "whiter than snow", phrase comes from Psalm 51:7, however we rarely quote the "purge me with hyssop" part. Getting whacked with a prickly hyssop branch is not a popular idea when it comes to purging sin. The reality is that we are a most blessed people, we  followers of Messiah. We are indeed forgiven and our sins covered and removed.

This being true has given me some cause to pause as the new year arrives. Many are encouraged to do a little review, a bit of reflection as to where we are and we here we are going. Reflection and accountability are Biblical concepts. Good things to do on occasion. It seems each day, each moment, our life is slowly written. It does not unfold a book or a chapter at a time, but one thought, one word, jotted down that form sentences and paragraphs and then the pages of our lives. We write our own biographies one breath at a time. The breaths we take are not our own, they are a gift from the Almighty. They seemed to be numbered, and one day they will cease. Our life book will be written and what remains will be left in the memories of those we loved and who loved us. Some of us will leave markers, more obvious pages to be reviewed, however the most precious parts of us will be held onto by the ones who loved us most.

When that time comes and I bask in the wonder of the very presence of my Heavenly Father I wonder what my life book will look like. Acts 23:19 suggests that all my sins will be blotted out. A very good thing. I do believe that my sins will not show up. Washed whiter than snow, buried in the depths of the sea. That being so, what is left behind? How many empty pages will there be in my life book? How many lines and paragraphs redacted by the blood of the Lamb? How many pages left with snow white forgiveness instead of a record of service for my King? I am not trying to be morbid or self condemning. "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," Romans 8:1. I am in Christ Jesus so I am delivered, death has no hold on me.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that there will be an accounting. 1 Corinthians 3:13, "Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is." Gold? Silver? Precious stones? Or the empty pages where the wood, hay, and stubble were burned away. It is not one of those thoughts that we dwell on very often. Life is overflowing with things to do and responsibilities to carry. Home, work, family, church, and some time for dinner and a movie. None of these are bad. The Lord has blessed us with many things to enjoy. The Word of God is filled with festivals, feasts, and celebrations. We are not called to live in fear or apprehension. The Lord did not call us to a life of anxiety but to a life to live more abundantly. However, maybe this is a good time to reflect. Maybe this is a good time to pray and strive to be more sensitive to the Lord and others. Maybe if I do this next year will will have a few less empty pages.