9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14 NIV
A funnel actually has two openings, a big one for easy access and a small one for pinpointed direction. Forgiveness is gained as we squeeze through the only path that God lays before us. Brokenness and humility is the path of forgiveness before God who gives it because Jesus purchased it for us.
Recently, we had the grands over to our house for Cousin Camp and had a wonderful time together. On the last day, I got frustrated and acted selfishly and rude toward our granddaughter. I was mad and I hurt her feelings. I knew that I had to restore my relationship with her.
But first, I had to go on a walk and talk with God to make things right with Him. I remembered my outburst of anger as a child. I remembered how easy it was to be critical of others while excluding my own faults. I remembered God’s forgiveness in the past. I knew that I had to ask for mercy and become a contrite heart.
He heard my prayers and I knew that He forgave me. Having made things right with God, I could hear clearly what the next steps should be. I went back inside and knelt down in front of my granddaughter, looked her in the eyes and said, “I am sorry that I was frustrated with you and made you run fast. That was wrong of Pappy. I am sorry that it made you afraid. Will you forgive me?” She said “Yes Pappy, I forgive you”. Relationship restored. I prayed a very short prayer of blessing over both of us.
As both relationships between God and her were restored I was thankful for what happened over the next few hours. Her spirit was re-engaged with our activities and I was more responsive to the promptings of God to pray over the grands and their families. As I stood cleansed before God, boldness began to rise again to pray the prayers of faith.
I was also deeply reminded that each and every person sins. We are all broken and in need of a Savior. I am included in the everybody in the world is broken. Repentance, brokenness and confession in faith to God for forgiveness will always come to those who have humbled themselves in a broken and contrite disposition. I am not sure how we squeeze through that funnel, but it works every time. He forgives and cleanses us from our stupidity, selfishness, pride, and whatever sin you have been hiding.
God desires for us to be clean. He has provided a path. He loves us a s father who has compassion on His children, removes our sin, so that we can have restored intimacy together.
Seek His forgiveness today. You will be glad that you did.
Blessings Love y’all