Sage Sayings 3: World Record Sinners
Well, I was going to facebook this, and then I realised it was waaaay too cool for a status where gazillions might see it and instead decided to post it here. I’ve started reading Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To by Anthony Destefano which Jen F. recently did a Three-Minute Book Club post on at Conversion Diary. Don’t worry, as Jen points out (as does the author), this is not a “name it and claim it” book at all. Rather, these prayers come from the depths of the human experience- and so far I can’t see God saying “no” to a single one of them.
I have actually attempted to pace myself on this book.. but I’m already at Chapter Five, “Am I a Terrible Person? God Forgive Me.” And I found this great gem there:
Remember, a good Chirstian is not someone who doesn’t ever sin, but someone who repents every time he does. That means that, ultimately, the definition of a successful life is one in which we repent one more time than we sin.
…
Lord, I know I did something terrible, and I feel awful… I’m sorry. I’m going to try not to do it again. But if I fail, I’m going to get right back up and try again. I may break the world record for committing this particular sin, but I’m also going to break the record for repenting of it! (emphasis added; no page citations b/c read via iTouch Kindle)
Amen! I think this is exactly the kind of good “guilt” we ought to have- not the famously ridiculed “Catholic guilt” or “Jewish guilt” or whatever variant of guilt out there that has a reputation of being all about making the sinner feel horrible. We ought to feel bad about the things we’ve done. And knowing how bad we really are shows us just how much we need a savior. And knowing just how much we need a savior shows us just how incredible it is that we actually got one. And knowing that- well, that should remind any sinner just how much God loves us– which is a whole heck of a lot. I really like that prayer- I think I’ll try to say it when I commit sins, especially ones I commit regularly.
-theRosyGardener
