Wrong Position

I will never forget watching an evening talk show featuring the story of the parents and killer of a young college student. The killer was his best friend. The weapon was high alcohol content inside a speeding automobile. …

What made this particular feature prime-time viewing? The parents had forgiven the young driver… And if that was not enough, they had taken him in as their own. This young man sat at the table in the chair which was once occupied by their only son. He slept in the son's bed. He worked with the victim's father, teaching seminars on safety. He shared their fortune and supported their causes. He spoke about the one he had slain in ways only someone who knew him intimately could have. …

Why did these parents do such a thing? Because it gave them peace. The interviewer was amazed; I was amazed. I kept trying to put myself in the parents' position—but I could not. Then, as the tears streamed down my cheeks, I heard the Spirit of God whisper to my heart and say: "No wonder you cannot relate. You have put yourself in the wrong position. You, my child, are the driver." God was the parent who not only forgave, but also invited me to sit at His table in the space my Savior left for me. As a result, I have peace.

You see, we really get things all mixed up. We begin thinking that we are pretty good people. Hey God may have had to reach way down when He saved some folks, but not really us. We grew up in church; we never had a drug habit; we never became prostitutes or pornography addicts; we never robbed a bank or pulled a trigger in anger. But the truth is, in God’s sight, all of us are women at the well! We are exceedingly sinful, but, you see, recognizing that is a good thing! After all He came to deliver those that others rejected.