Good News

I've never cared for writing all that much, but I would prefer it over speaking any day. So here I am starting a blog in this year of 2010.
I am really starting this for a number of reasons. A couple I would like to share today. The first one being, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. He rescued me, and I hope this can be used as a tool to rescue some other lost soul in this world.
Second, I've heard and seen a lot of bad news lately. You know what I'm talking about. You turn on the news and see it every day. Death, war, disease, catastrophes, financial downfall. We are all subject to these things. This world is full of them, everywhere you turn. And so, this morning I was contemplating all of this and decided I want to start sharing some good news, while I am here and able.

This last Friday, the first of the year, I left with my son to go run a few errands. As we were out driving, I was pulled over for not coming to a complete stop behind the crosswalk line. As the officer came up to my vehicle I was bummed to say the least. He asked for my license and registration, and went back to his vehicle. As I am sitting there waiting, I heard my son's sweet voice say "Mom, are you okay? You gonna get a ticket Mom?" I responded, "I'm okay sweetie". What seemed like forever passed by. I was trying to justify in my mind why I didn't deserve this ticket, "I came to a stop, just not before the line" I was telling myself. It didn't seem fair, but I was fully prepared to get citation that afternoon. Then he was there at my window again. "Miss, I'm only going to give you a warning today." he said. My heart dropped, I was so thankful I wasn't going to have to pay, or have it go on my driving record.

As I drove away with Nathanael in the back seat saying "You okay mom?", I couldn't help thinking about grace. I was shown grace that day by that officer. I had broke the law, and I deserved that ticket, and yet I was driving away without one. Which brings me to the next part.

We all have a death sentence, that's the bad news. Measuring up to God's law is not possible. The ten commandments for example, we all fall short of obeying them. The Bible says that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Just like I was there trying to justify why I didn't deserve that ticket, we try to justify that we aren't that bad of people. We may have sinned in our lives, but not to deserve death and eternal separation from God, we tell ourselves. Sin is sin , whether it is a white lie, or homosexuality, or murder. It is all breaking of the law, we deserve what's coming to us. But not so long ago, a baby was born of a virgin. His name is Jesus, God in human flesh. He was born into this world, to save us from our debt. We were found guilty, but Jesus Christ took our blame. He bore it on a cross, and took on our death sentence, and then rose from the grave three days later. That is the glorious good news! We are found blameless now. We don't get the ticket, not only that, but our slate is wiped clean. It doesn't count against us on a record somewhere.

All we are asked to do is believe that Jesus did that, and we are called sons and daughters of God. We are adopted into His family. Hallelujah to my great God and His amazing reigning grace! I hope and pray as I continue this blog that I can spread some joy. Thank you for reading, God bless you, Joanna