13. August 2012 05:42
A friend of mine named Charles once began a search for peace of mind. But there were things in his life that kept him from finding it. Though deeply remorseful for his wrongdoings, he had never truly faced them head-on. He was a reliable man, a hard worker, but inside he was tortured. Behind the façade of his dedication to his wife, his children and the church, he carried a huge secret. He was having an affair…in fact; the relationship had been ongoing for several years.
He realized there was clearly no way he could make up for, or undo what he had done. But a time came when the weight of his sin became so distressing and his remorse was so heavy, that he proceeded to go and apologize to every individual he'd disappointed or hurt. Especially to the women he’d betrayed. However, as a Christian, Charles knew he had another even more important step to take. He must confess to God and repent. “Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19 (HCSB)
Charles did confess and repent. He says that this experience, and the peacefulness it produced, was not a one-time event, but a process that continues even now. Often times when he thought that he'd finally arrived at the peacefulness he sought in his life, he would recognize that what he had found was simply a stepping-stone and that day-by-day he must follow God’s path to peace.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
I pray for all of you that as each dawn breaks, God will shower you with His blessings of love and lead you always to the right path.
This is a guest post by Ruth Lanham who authors Faith Song.