For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10, NIV
Even in Kindergarten, Sondria had a reputation. Her escapades of bad behavior led many teachers to give a sigh of relief in September if her name did not appear on their class list. One notable prank for which she will be long remembered happened during her fourth-grade year when Sondria stole a pepper spray from an adult’s purse and sprayed the busload of children, causing an immediate evacuation of the bus and her suspension from school.
Yet, when I saw a bulletin board Sondria had created for her sixth-grade teacher, a kind of “All about me” project, I was surprised to see two music class papers she had done in first grade for me with my stamp reading “Excellent” at the top. Even though she had a reputation far different, she wanted people to know her as a smart student who did excellent work.
We all would like others to see us without our flaws and sins and remember us instead for our sterling traits. And God sees us exactly like that. He says, I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more (Isaiah 43:25). He has made us for better things, and wants us to know that we are created for good works, especially created for us to do.
Isn’t it good to know today that God sees us in an even better light than we sometimes cast ourselves? Praise Him today, and joyfully take on the high calling for which He has made you.
Oh Lord, today I thank You for blotting out my transgressions and seeing me as clean. Please help me extend grace to others today. Thank You. Amen.
Copyright Shirley Wilson.
Shirley is a retired member and former board member of Christian Educators.
