The Ticket

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said,"I will confess my transgressions to the LORD" and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.
(Psalm 32:5)

Driving along listening to the radio, oblivious to the world around when suddenly something flashing catches your eyes.

Blue lights in your rear-view mirror and it’s not the “Prize Patrol”.
These huge blue strobe lights that happen to have a car (or something attached below) are not trying to pass you.
The chicken tenders you just ate appear to be coming to life in your stomach.
You pull over, and after an hour or so, the officer gets out of the car, adjusts their hat then slowly paces forward.

I said “slowly” so wait a minute before you go to the next line.
All along, family, friends, neighbors, …the “Pope”, all pass by and wave…and you could swear they snicker a little (especially the Pope).

Ok, ok…how do I know this experience?
A long time ago, in a galaxy in a town not so far away…
I was pulled over (I wish it was the only time ever).
Yep, you know the feeling.
How it all unfolded impacted me incredibly!
After the officer pulled me over and I stopped my stomach from convulsing,
He came up and asked; “Do you know why I pulled you over?!”
My sarcastic inner voice wanted to say; “Because you’ve had a bad day and need a hug?!” but wisdom told me to shut up.

Instead, I said: “Officer, I sure must have been speeding.”
He replied; “What?”
I responded; “Sir, I just got off work, I’m driving home, and I have no doubt I was speeding.  Is there anything you need me to sign?”

For a moment he acted baffled and surprised.
Next he had me get out of the car and walk a white line. Honest!
All said and done, he gave me a “warning” and said caringly, “Please just be careful and slow down. Take care!”
Before I got back in my car, I asked him, “Why the multiple questions and the “white line”?”

His response caught me; “Mr Gordon, in all my years serving as an officer, I have NEVER had anyone admit to me that they were speeding. I assumed you must have been drunk…and I actually wasn’t quite sure what I should do next.”

Our Sovereign God has a perspective on our lives that most of us cannot grasp.
He knows all of our sins (yes, even the one you are thinking now) in full detail.
But He is not a Barney Fife with a radar gun…and one bullet… waiting to chase us down.

No. His love is so compassionate that He wants us to be captive to it.
So captive that any sin in our lives is so offensive to US because we know it is to Him and that it causes separation between us and Him!
So captive to His love that we cannot help but run to Him and beg forgiveness the moment we see “blue lights” or whatever cue the Holy Spirit gives you and me (That’s called “conviction”).
When you and I hold on to our sin, cover it up, rationalize it, not acknowledge it as what it is and even in some cases, claim it as righteousness, we “cover our iniquity” and choose to be separated from Him.

Ultimately, it is pride.  Truth is, None of us want to be wrong then have to admit it.
“But God”(I love when I read that in His Word) forgives our sin and the guilt when we pray and ask forgiveness.
Did you catch that? The “guilt” is forgiven as well as the sin.

As an occasional passenger on “Guilt International Airlines” (with a lot of frequent flyer miles), that’s huge for me as I hope it is for you.

You can get off that plane with a simple acknowledgement…
“God, I’ve blown it.  I cannot blame it on anyone else…anything else….I…I  have blown it!”

In 1 John 1:9, God’s Word tells us that if we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. THAT is Huge!
So why not get rid of The Ticket now?
How?
Pray, openly acknowledge your sin, and then enjoy the guilt free ride of His grace and forgiveness.

Don’t drive too fast though.