Finding True Forgiveness
Two hours into a 3-hour road trip it begins. Bang! Bang! Bang! We’re transporting a Shetland breeding group out of state and the ram is not happy about being separated from the ewes just on the other side of the heavy metal divider in the trailer. He repeatedly, almost rhythmically rams the divider, hitting it so hard the whole trailer sways as my husband tries to drive.
Before our trip I put bales of hay in the ram’s side of the trailer to give him less room to back up and ram, but it seems he’s got his own way to get around my obviously flawed plan. We stop to check him, peer through the trailer’s air vents, only to see him on top of the bales banging the divider with all his might. He is more than a little determined to have his way.
Rams are called rams for a reason. I don’t trust them and never turn my back on them. They ram (hard), and ramming is destructive. It benefits nothing or no one except the ram seeking dominance. I’ve seen rams take down posts cemented in the ground, put holes in barns, almost kill each other to prove superiority to another ram. Nothing good ever comes from ramming. Ever.
There are 2 organic ways I have experienced on the farm that stop a ram from ramming; 1) If they are in a fight with another ram, 1 of them must step away, raise a white flag, cry “uncle”. 2) Another sheep has to literally step in between the rams to stop the fight, sometimes a wether (neutered ram) steps in. It’s a suicide mission for a wether or anyone (human or sheep) to step in between 2 rams determined to establish authority, their massive horns hitting together sound much like concrete block hitting concrete block.
Rams are called rams for a reason.
Sin is called sin for a reason. It’s destructive. It benefits nothing or no one except for the evil one who seeks dominance in our lives, looking for a way to hamper and diminish our relationship with the Good Shepherd. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, he tries to steal us away from the Good Shepherd. One sin at a time.
That little white lie? It’s neither little nor white to the Good Shepherd. It’s what He died mercilessly on the cross for along with every other sin of every person throughout time.
There are 2 ways I have personally experienced to stop sin from having a choke hold control in my life; 1) I must step away from, raise a white flag to sin as I cry “uncle” to Jesus’ authority in my life. 2) I have to visually see His death on the cross as a stepping in between me and the sin that seeks to destroy my heart and life.
Years ago, I asked Jesus to prick my heart and mind the moment I either considered sinning or actually sinned. I asked Him to show me what sin means to Him. What it cost Him. In those times I am tempted to sin or commit a sin, I can visually see Him on that cross, my very specific sin physically laid on Him. “Father, forgive me” is my often-constant whispered prayer. And He does. He does.
When the Good Shepherd, Jesus, the lamb of God came to earth to live as a man it was the most courageously ferocious, passionately love-filled, suicide mission in the history of time. His momentary death on the cross forever wiped away the power of sin and death over us.
Sin is called sin for a reason. But its power has no sway or hold on us unless we allow it to. Because of the cross. Because of His sacrifice there.
“Father, forgive me”. And He does. He does. Every. Single. Time.
Jackie Deems copyright 2023
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1–3
