​When you sin –when you find yourself screwing up AGAIN — doesn’t it feel like the problem is, well… that specific sin? If you gossiped about a friend, you gotta tame that tongue. If you wasted an afternoon in self-pity, you need to make a better choice to take those thoughts captive next time. If you flew off the handle at your kids you need to work on that self-control. Sin is a sin problem. Duh, right?

Actually, no. Sin is NOT the problem. The anger, the addiction, the attitude — whatever “IT’ is, “IT” is not actually the problem.

Okaaaaay… So then what is, you ask?

Well I’m so glad you asked. Because it is actually all about forgetting. Whenever we sin, we have forgotten two very important things.

We’ve forgotten WHO we are and WHOSE we are.

When I embellish because I am feeling small and sad and unseen — I’ve forgotten. I’ve completely forgotten that Your eyes have never left me. I’ve forgotten that You formed me and see me and know me intimately. I’ve forgotten that I am already royalty, no embellishment required.

When I am listening to the voice of hopelessness or despair whisper that the hard parts of life will never change, that, “life is hard and then you die” — I’ve forgotten. I’ve forgotten that you are the God who makes streams in the desert. You are the one who walks me THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death (not the one who drops me off there and leaves me to die!)

When I am immobilized by feelings of guilt and regret, wishing I coulda, if only I woulda, and I know that I shoulda —I’ve forgotten. I’ve forgotten that you’re the only perfect person and that if I had been perfect, I wouldn’t have needed a savior. I’ve also forgotten that you have washed away all my guilt and shame. For real. I get to stand before You each day clean and covered because your mercies are new every morning. I get to walk forward today, chin up and shoulders back, knowing that You are the glory and the lifter of my head.

I forget that no matter how bad life gets, I’ve read the end of the story and (SPOILER ALERT) I am a winner! I forget the amazing ways you have rescued me in the past. I forget that I was born onto a battleground, not a playground (i.e. it’s gonna hurt sometimes, but it’s a battle worth fighting!) I forget that You describe yourself as a shepherd, a powerful but gentle caretaker. I forget that it’s gonna be okay because my shepherd is with me. I forget that I can trust more in your ability to lead than in my ability to follow. 

More to the point, I just forget that I can trust You. Period.

God knew we were forgetful creatures. That’s why He instructed the Israelites to tie scriptures onto their hands and bind them onto their foreheads in Deuteronomy 6. That’s why He tells us to hide the word in our hearts in Psalm 119. Even when He gave us the communion sacrament, He said, “Do this in REMEMBRANCE of me.”

It’s hard for us to remember. But it is oh so worth it!

Yes, when I forget, I make a complete mess of things. But when I remember, I act like the person that I really am: brave and kind, strong and wise. I do not cower before the opinions of people. I keep my eyes locked on the One who knows me and loves me and is turning me into something beautiful.

Remember today who you are. Remember this moment whose you are. Remember and keep on remembering, dear one!