(The Message Version)

Each day delivered to my inbox is a quote. I enjoy reading them because of the wide range of people they draw from. I never know if the quote will be from some ancient like Aristotle, a contemporary but from a different faith tradition like the Dali Lama, or someone from pop culture. They are almost all thought provoking in some way. Recently the quote was from Oprah Winfrey. It was “No one is the worst thing then have ever done.”

This quote got me thinking about how we too often let the negatives of life define us. We let past negative events, actions and words color our perspectives on life for a day, for awhile and sometimes even a lifetime. It is hard to not let those negatives moments define us. I have heard people say, “I’ll never forgive them for...” or they say, “I don’t think I will ever get over....” They are letting the worst things that have happened define them or those around them. Oprah is right no one is the worst thing they have ever done or even the worst thing that has happened to them. Our faith talks about forgiveness and renewal.

Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians offers such a perspective. Paul wanted his listeners, and that includes us today, to remember that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus we are free people. “We are free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!” The worst thing we have ever done, is forgiven. It doesn’t define us anymore. It also doesn’t define others. We have to give God the opportunity to work in their lives forgiving and transforming them as well. But it is hard to accept God’s forgiveness for our past and put it behind us. It is hard to forgive others and pray that God transforms them.

This forgiveness does come with a challenge. In accepting the free gift of forgiveness we are called to live as new people. Repentance means to change and go in a new direction. It means doing things in a new way as one freed from the past. It means living as one who strives to live as one abundantly free in Christ, which means to follow his words and teachings as much as we can.

So thank you Oprah for reminding me that I am not defined by my past misdeeds. You are not defined by your past deeds. God has forgiven me. God forgives you. I need to let my past go and live the new life God gives me. I will strive to also remember that God is at work in you creating something new as well.

Loving God, thank you for your gift of forgiveness. It is with gratitude we offer our misdeeds to you knowing that you forgive us and the penalties are erased. Remind us as well to see others as we see ourselves, flawed but growing and changing each day through your love and forgiveness. AMEN.

This devotional was written and read by Bill Green.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.