Hello there
During my childhood years I tried valiantly to find Odeon Ave in Kingston, Jamaica. I am not entirely certain that it exists, but South Odeon Ave did. It was parallel to North Odeon Ave and perpendicular to Eastwood Park road. I was intrigued by the fact that without Odeon, there was apparently no ‘true’ centre. When I read today’s Holy Nougat several years ago, it felt as if that was the real lesson of the Odeon Ave mystery
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psalms 103:12 NLT
In one sense, East is always far from West. They never really meet. Because despite the spaces we claim as central to community life and services, one might say there’s really no true centre. Somewhere or something may be located relative to another location; but East and West never really connect. East is close to West, relatively speaking. But they never meet
Sin is a little like that. The Sin is not us. We can choose to be defined by our sins; but we are not our sins. And when Jesus paid it all on Calvary, it was removed. It’s removal is relative to us, may even be a point of reference for us; but we are not our sins.
Especially when we repent of them.
If we choose to constantly search sin out, and choose against confessing and repenting, I believe that we run the risk of making sin central to our existence. Where does that leave Jesus? If we are so intent, will we miss the opportunity to be directed by God’s Spirit. For today, let us endeavor to be defined by Jesus Christ and not the sins which our repentance and Christ’s forgiveness have removed from our lives.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
