Freed by Forgiveness

What does forgiveness feel like? Have you experienced it?

There have been times when I have messed up (yes, more than once) and have felt the need -- the compulsion, sometimes -- to apologize. That apology has been met with grace. Words like, "You don't need to apologize, but I accept your apology, anyway." Forgiveness feel like a burden lifted. It lightens the load. It is like freedom.

I can compare it to other occurrences when those words have not been forthcoming. The burden stays. Maybe it gets ignored, or it we get used to the load, but its a different feeling from forgiveness granted.

Have you noticed that in the communion liturgy the statemenets of Confession and Pardon precede the Thanskgiving and Communion liturgy? We state our confession and ask for forgiveness.

The response is:

Hear the good news. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God's love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

The congregation responds with "In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!"

Do we feel the grace of forgiveness? Do we accept the love of God and allow him to lift away the burden of sin? Do we experience the transformation?

We ask, "Free us for joyful obedience," but when we are reminded that we have been forgiven and freed, do we accept the grace?

Image: Mt. Horeb UMC in Princeton, WV