It's a Story of Forgiveness and Hope

Advent Devo Part 6: The Week of January 8

When the other children woke up next morning (they had been sleeping on piles of cushions in the pavilion) the first thing they heard from Mrs. Beaver was that their brother had been rescued and brought into camp late last night; and was at that moment with Aslan. As soon as they had breakfasted they all went out, and there they saw Aslan and Edmund walking together in the dewy grass, apart from the rest of the court. There is no need to tell you (and no one ever heard) what Aslan was saying, but it was a conversation which Edmund never forgot. As the others drew nearer Aslan turned to meet them, bringing Edmund with him.

"Here is your brother," he said, "and there is no need to talk to him about what is past."

From "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", Book 2 of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Have you ever wondered what Edmund and Aslan said to each other that day? You could assume the words "I'm sorry" and "you are forgiven" were said, of course, but something much deeper happened. The forgiven Edmund was not groveling. His love relationship with Aslan was restored and stronger than ever before. And, by the directive of Aslan, no one asked or brought it up with Edmund again. It was a time of new starts, of restoration and of hope.

The depth of Edmund's inner change was later proven through his actions in the battle against the White Witch. He was the only one who knew that in order to defeat her, he had to smash the symbol of her power -- her wand! Healed from his battle wounds, he looked even better than before! And there on the field of battle Aslan made him a knight.


Daily Scripture Readings
Day One: Psalm 9, I Chronicles 29:4-21, Acts 2:22-33
Day Two: Psalm 25, Proverbs 10:27-29, Acts 26:1-23
Day Three: Psalm 31, Proverbs 23:17-19, Romans 5:1-11
Day Four: Psalm 33, Isaiah 38:16-20, 2 Cor. 3:7-18
Day Five: Psalm 39, Isaiah 40:28-31, Ephesians 1:3-23
Gospel: Luke 2:21-40


Prayer
Lord,
make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon,
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood
as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning
that we are pardoned,
it is in dying
that we awake to eternal life.
Amen.

St. Francis of Assisi

Journaling

• It has been said: "guilt is like the red warning light on the dashboard of the car: You can either stop and deal with the trouble, or break out the light." This week's theme of forgiveness and hope is linked because there is no possible way that you can have hope, if you don't know you have been forgiven! Is there a "warning light" in your life that is blocking your contentment and peace with God? Seek His forgiveness, and rest in the hope you have in Jesus.
• The more you understand about your own need for forgiveness, the more you can love and forgive others. Thank God for the depth of His mercies, they are "new every morning" (Lam. 3:22-23). Then be certain you are not harboring an unforgiving spirit towards someone else. Ask God for clarity of thought and a renewed heart.
• Rev. Jack Hayford says that "in the middle of our time, our space, our problems, Jesus is here." Despite the struggles you may face in your own life, the fact that Jesus was born, died and raised from the dead for us will remain true forever. You can put your hope in something that is truly eternal!

---

Unless otherwise noted, ©2005 by Deb Vaughn.