Mistakes Don't Define You

I’m not going to win any awards for my performance over the past few days. My kids got sick, which was not my fault, but that set off a chain of reactions that were my fault. 

First, I waited until Saturday night to let my co-Sunday school teacher know she would need to lead our group on Sunday. Then I forgot I was supposed to deliver something time-sensitive to someone on Sunday morning, and I neglected to give it to my husband. Meanwhile, I missed six calls from my husband asking me to email him something he needed for the sermon he was preaching that morning. I also forgot to let the piano teacher know we wouldn’t be at piano lessons that afternoon. Later in the evening, I discovered a letter from our credit card company requesting some important information by March 26. And this morning I realized I forgot my mother-in-law’s, my brother-in-law’s, and my nephew’s birthdays last week.

I hope that list of mistakes is making someone feel better. My poor kids are getting tired of seeing me face-palm and say, “Oh no, oh no!” (And to those of you reading this who are mentioned in the above paragraph: I am sorry.)

Of course, those are just the highlights. There were a few other things mixed in there, like leaving a whole leftover pizza in the oven overnight. And my usual list of more serious sins was amplified by lack of sleep and being off our normal routine.

But that’s what Easter is all about, isn’t it? Realizing that we are weak and powerless, that we're never going to get this life right on our own, but that our Savior is strong enough to overcome anything - even sin and death.

“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. […] By the one man’s obedience, the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:17,19, ESV)

Abundance of grace. The free gift of righteousness. Made righteous. That’s what Jesus did for us on the cross and in the empty tomb.

He took all our mistakes and all our sins upon Himself, and He drank every last drop of the wrath of God against us. Then He clothed us in His righteousness, so that we have the complete approval of God, no matter how many times we mess up.

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.” (Hebrews 7:25-27, ESV, emphasis added)

Take time to be somber this Easter and consider His sacrifice. Take time to celebrate, too. You are no longer defined by your mistakes. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below! 

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