Zara wondered what Zeke wanted.
It had been years since they’d talked. After Zeke and Char’s wedding, they’d moved to the next town. Neither came to their tenth year high school reunion last month either. It’s like they cut all ties with anyone from their past.
So why was Zeke trying to contact her now?
As Zara grabbed her computer to work on the next project, her mind wandered to her high school days.
She dated Samuel a bit, but then Zeke moved to town. Overnight, it seemed they connected. He was funny and stunningly handsome. Zara still wasn’t sure what happened between them when he told her they were done but her heart still warmed as she remembered the good times they’d shared.
She wrenched her thoughts toward her deadline.
She only had a few more research pieces to review before completing the proposal. Zara felt excited to present this new project to her boss. She knew the expansion potential was huge. Perhaps she could lead the team toward franchise opportunities as well.
The chirping Ring alarm alerted Zara to someone at the front door.
Quickly closing her laptop, she headed across the living room.
“Hey, Zara,” Zeke greeted warmly. “You look as amazing as you did in high school.”
🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿
At midnight, she still sat on her couch, agonizing over her destructive decisions.
The last few hours were a blur, yet crystal clear. She recognized what had happened.
Just like in high school, Zeke quickly mesmerized her with his quirky humor. It’d been so long since she’d enjoyed feeling at ease with a man like she did with Zeke.
But he was married. How could she forget that? She knew what it felt like to be betrayed. Now, she’d betrayed another woman. How many other women had Zeke seduced? Did Char know? Why did she make such a destructive decision?
Would God forgive her for this stupid choice?
Zara’s soul was smothered with guilyt. As Zara reached for her journal, she recalled Jesus’ words, “Go and sin no more.”
Zara poured out her shame, guilt, and remorse and experienced God’s forgiveness for her destructive decisions.
She noted these truths in her journal.
Redemption.
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Grace.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
No contact with Zeke.
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Mercy.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Forgiven.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Unconditional Love.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
Recoverable.
And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Zara wrote her conversation with God in her journal.
Tears smeared some words, but she wrote on until she felt peaceful. God had met her and assured her of his forgiveness.
Her cell phone chimed. Rather than answering Zeke, she blocked his number and deleted it from her contacts.
She would not repeat her destructive decisions. She would “Go and sin no more”.
Every person makes destructive decisions.
What if there is a way through the guilt and shame to healing and forgiveness? What hope do you need to live your best life? Let’s talk.