Ocean of Mistakes

Ayesha, you are under arrest for violating the curfew, the words echo

inside. Tomorrow you are sentenced to the Ocean of Mistakes. “God, please

save me,” I pray. I’ve been pleading all night in my prison cell. “I know

I’ve failed. Please forgive me.”

.

Sunrise peeps through the window. CLANG. The door opens. My jailers clamp

chains around my hands. The rule book is clipped to my clothes. Silence.

.

They drag me, throwing me into an open top truck as an example for all to

see, a warning for others to avoid making the same mistake. Screaming and

crying rings in my ears, and with horror I realize they are my own tortured

screams. I can’t take any more, I sob as the truck bounces along the

uneven track to the sandy beach. I tried to follow your rules and

regulations. I can’t be perfect. Silence.

.

The truck stops with a screech. I’m carried onto the speed boat. Mouth dry,

bile burns inside of me until we reach the ebony part of the ocean. Hands

grip mine. I taste salt and fear. Struggling, fighting to stay on the boat

until weakness takes over. My body is thrown overboard. Icy water prickles

my skin. Gasping, flailing, tears pour down my face, the chains and the

rule book drag me down. The boat speeds off in the distance, a tiny speck.

Here, then gone.

.

Ayesha, don’t try to swim, calls a voice. “Am I hallucinating?” I wonder,

choking on the water. Suddenly the waves stop; a shining figure on the

water glides toward me. Stay calm.

.

Jesus? I whisper. Jesus?

.

Ayesha, I love you more than your mistakes, He says, love in His eyes,

His words breaking my chains. I heard your prayers. I forgive you. This is

a fresh start. Leave your old life behind. Follow me. His words of love

shred the pages of the rule book until it disappears. Reaching out to me,

He grasps my hand. He leads me, and I follow Him to a fresh start and a new

life. Cindy Lee

.

Have you ever felt like you were drowning in guiltpulled down by the

weight of your sin? It’s never too late. God loves us deeply and sent His

Son Jesus to die on the cross for sin and brokennessand rise from the dead

to renew His creation and His people. Through Jesus, God heals our

brokenness. Consider taking a moment to bring any sin to Him and receive

His forgiveness.

.

he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:24 (NLT)

Read Verses:

Psalm 32:1-Psalm 32:7; Romans 3:23-Romans 3:28