Running into my friend Julie and getting to catch up for a short visit was the absolute highlight of my week, even if it was for only a few short minutes. I hadn’t seen her in at least five years.
Genuinely interested, Julie asked about something that had taken place many years ago. She wondered about an update – how a particular situation had either evolved, resolved, or eventually just played itself out. Initially, I had no idea what she was talking about, but as she jogged my memory with more details, I could feel my soul sinking into the hard wooden chair I was seated in.
I felt suddenly so ugly and gross inside – reminded of how I had responded to the circumstances she was curious about – nothing in particular that stood out to her as appalling or sinful, but to me – I felt sick inside knowing that today, I would not have handled it in the same manner, or even fostered the same thoughts about it – at all!
I spent much of the rest of that day reminding myself over and over ad nauseum, of some of the details regarding the scenario that she had asked about. I found myself feeling overwhelmingly condemned knowing that I definitely could have navigated my way through that situation a LOT differently five years ago, and knew that had it happened today, I would have.
“Why did I do that? Why did I respond that way? I can’t believe I said what I said!” rang in my thoughts over and over and over.
And then…
I was reminded of how much Satan loves to condemn us, and I had to keep reminding myself that condemned – I AM CERTAINLY NOT! Romans 8:1 says “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
It’s GOOD to be reminded of where we used to be, what we used to behave like, and how we used to respond in challenging situations. God definitely wants us to see what He has done in our hearts. And even though Satan would love nothing more than for us to sit regularly in the Camp of Condemnation – Don’t do it! That glance backwards should not produce shame and condemnation. This is NOT where those who are in Christ Jesus should camp out!
You see – there’s a much, much better place to sit still in – a place the Lord wants us to land after we’ve only “glanced” at where we used to be. If we’ve genuinely repented of that “junk” we’re so terribly regretful of, then we can and we should be reminded of the gift of God’s forgiveness, and His commitment and promise to sanctify us. That quick glance back at where we once were should produce an overwhelming gratefulness for what He’s done in us, while also recognizing that, praise God – He’s not done yet, and yes… we all likely have quite a ways to go.
I loved running into Julie. I enjoyed hearing the updates on each of her family members and her career she will soon retire from. But I am convinced that in my crazy, way-too-busy life, our God, who knows me so well, chose just the right moment, just the right friend, and just the right conversation, to remind me of how much He loves me. To remind me of His commitment to me – not to ever, ever leave me where I am, but to intentionally, continuously, meticulously, and lovingly transform me to look more and more like His Son.
Philippians 1:6 reminds us, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
And when I fail – He doesn’t throw up His arms, roll His eyes, and walk away from me disgusted. No, like the faithful and committed Father He is, He continues to pursue me and my maturity, because His goal is to completely transform my character. And God willing, ten years from now I’ll look back on the circumstances that will belong to, and stay in 2026, without the condemnation, and with the same gratefulness I eventually found after my encounter with Julie, (even if it did take me the rest of the day to get there).
But let’s not stop there. Guess who else He’s committed to? Um, all of your brothers and sisters in Christ. Yep. Even the ones in your forever church family who have rubbed you the wrong way at some point. The ones you avoid because they hurt you, or offended you. Yeah – them. Our Father is just as committed to them, too. It’s good to remember that, isn’t it? Because chances are – the very ones you try to avoid because they have hurt or offended you, have also come quite a ways in the past five years as well. That sanctification process? It’s not just for me – it’s for all of us who are in Christ Jesus.
Getting to run into Julie has really caused me to travel down several different rabbit trails, one of which helped me to remember that even forgiveness comes much easier when we remember that OUR Father is doing many things in the hearts of ALL of us sitting in the Sunday pews. He sees it all, and He is committed to us all, and that doesn’t just make forgiveness easier – it gives us patience and grace with other sinners as well, remembering that He who began a good work in each of us, also began a good work in them, and will also bring it to completion in the day of Jesus Christ – because at the end of the day, it’s not all about me, or you, but it’s all about HIM.
If you needed to be reminded today that there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus – here’s your sign 😉 He’s not done with us yet, friend. Get OUT of Camp Condemnation, and do it today 😉
Lovely. Thank you, friend🙏🏻❤️