The One About Living Between Two Gardens

I recently heard of an occasion that happened that has been replaying over and over in my heart since I heard it. I can't remember who shared it so I apologize that I can't give proper credit. A man who had murdered many people, including children, was facing his execution day. All the families he had affected had the opportunity to come and face him and say their final words to him before the execution would take place. The families took turns spewing a lot of angry, hate-filled words his way and he was unmoved. He looked empty - like he could care less through the entire process. Then a father came up to the mic with tear-filled eyes and started talking. He told the man "You are the kind of person who makes what God asks me to do really REALLY hard. Even impossible without the strength of the Holy Spirit. What you have done to our lives and our families there are no words for, but I just want you to know, that I forgive you." As soon as he finished talking, the man on the execution stand fell onto the table in front of him and started sobbing.

There are people in our world doing horrifically terrible things to others. Unspeakable things. The world we live in was originally created perfectly by God. It was a perfect garden. When the curse of sin entered in, we were left with a world where we desire perfection but can never attain it. We were left with a world broken by sin. The awesome part is God has another perfect garden prepared for us once we reach Heaven or Jesus returns. We are living between the two perfect gardens. We are in the in-between. God's call for us is to use this time in the in-between to ensure as many as possible around us will also be able to join us in this perfect garden of Heaven. God doesn't want a single soul lost. We are supposed to show as many people on Earth as possible how much God truly loves regardless of the sin they are stuck in. He loves every person no less and can love them no more than He does at any given moment in life. It's an incomprehensible love. He created ALL people to have infinite dignity and value in God. When we act on God's love and grace towards others, like this father did in this story, it shatters the grips of sin. This father is also an example of what it looks like to have an eternal mindset. We all sin. We are all broken. We are called to love. Even when it's really REALLY hard and people can suck and be big fat jerks. I can suck and be a big fat jerk.

Thankfully, we serve a God that is our rescuer, our redeemer, our healer. God gave and continues to give us forgiveness. Forgiving others can be hard. So, so hard. There are consequences for sins. We do have to face those consequences, acknowledge them and accept them. Regardless of the sin someone has done, we are called to love like Jesus. Hate the sin, yes, but show the sinner the love God has for them in spite of that sin even when it's the absolute most difficult thing to do. I am confident when this father forgave this man, it also brought healing to him. God not only shatters sin with His love, He shatters the grip the consequences of sins have on our lives. God loved us to death. Every single one of us. He still does - every. single. day regardless of any mistakes we might make along the way.

"I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." (Philippians 3:12-14)