It was in the 70s, when I was still a kid in Primary 4 or 5, that something happened which remained in my memory till this time and age. I received an undeserved pardon for a crime which I committed out of greed and folly.
With my younger brother in tow, I shoplifted at one of the biggest departmental stores of those days and was promptly caught on camera. The manager detained me as I hurried to make my way out after slipping a piece of eraser into my pocket. I was brought into the office with my brother who didn't know what happened. Standing before the manager and handing over the eraser, I was filled with shame, regret and fear. The manager explained that he could either informed my parents or hand me over to the police. Those words made time stand still and the minutes I was in the manager's office felt like eternity. I was close to tears and I said "sorry, I won't do this again" several times. I can't imagine what my stern parents or the school would have done to me had this news reached them; honestly, I never thought about the police.
After a long hard gaze into my eyes which I tried hard to avoid, the manager said "You go. Don't do this again". I thanked him profusely and then holding my brother's hands, I hurried out of the office and the departmental store, to which I did not return for months.
The scene replayed in my mind for days on end. I was grateful, yet fearful. What if the manager decide to report me to the police, call up my parents, or report to my school? I had no peace for months. When I finally realised that I had been pardoned for good, I was determined to live a righteous life. I didn't want to get into trouble again. For a 10-year old "criminal", that was the best pardon. It was a lesson for life.
Hebrews 4:16 says "... so that we may receive mercy". On account of Jesus, I received a similar pardon, only that it's more. Although I tried to live a righteous life after the shoplifting episode, I stumbled many times more. I didn't commit any more crimes but I know I haven't been righteous. Later, years after I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour, I began to understand what God's mercy and pardon is all about, especially when this episode floats back to my memory. Indeed, when one has been wrong and in need of mercy, receiving it is the best thing that can ever happened. It's a clean slate if you know what I mean. Records purged; second chance to start over. Wow...
My pastor said this morning that if God hasn't been merciful, many of us would have been dead ducks eons ago; I cannot agree more. God has been amazingly patient, allowing us to learn and repent from our mistakes and sins, giving us a chance to get our lives on the right track. If He had been a "three strikes and you are out" God, many, including me, would have failed miserably.
Thank you Heavenly Father for your undeserved mercy.
Your child,
Thomas
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