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When I was in first grade I began to experience my first conscious
pangs of guilt. I did a lot of bad things, like beat up my little sister.
I spent first grade at a private Christian school wearing a pinafore
and going to chapel. One morning when the weight of my guilt was giving
me a pain in my stomach, the pastor explained the words of a hymn. The
words said, "At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light
and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith, I received
my sight and now I am happy all the day."
The pastor said that Jesus died to pay for our guilt. He said the burden
we carry for it can roll away. That day, I prayed to do just that, so
I could feel "happy all the day." (Conviction is one thing, but the devil really likes to condemn you so you feel there's no way out! We have to get free from such lies!) Of course, it would be nice if asking forgiveness was all there was
to it. The lasting happiness came when I understood the scripture where
Jesus talks about all this. He says, "Take my yoke upon you and
learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find
rest for your souls." He also says, "For my yoke is easy and
my burden is light."
I find that victory in life
comes in acknowledging that in Him is EVERY good thing and there are
no good things outside him. Anyway, my goal now is to keep carrying
his yoke, not the burdens of rebellion. |
