I always knew there was something I would likely do that would take me over the edge. Firecrackers in the girl's dorm wash tub late one night came close. Participating in a rebellion against the boy's dorm headmaster was another walk near the edge. Mouthing off to my corporate boss often strikes the blow at the limits. Driving too fast with someone in the car you love (I think 145 mph plus is a touch over the limits), working without sleep for a month (12 hours a week does not make it ok), and. . . The list is endless.
I know I will do something that takes me beyond love and caring. The combination of intense anger and passion result in choices I remember with sadness. In contrast, I might be quietly tame in the world's eyes! However, if everyone knew the truth about me, what would happen? If everyone understood just how evil I have been and probably will be again, would anyone want to hang around?
Is there a limit to human evils? I doubt we have found the edge. Is there something that you or I have done that puts us beyond caring, beyond hope? My favorite Bible character, Manasseh, was probably the most evil person ever! Nothing was beyond his thoughts and hands; killing his own children, group sex in church, murdering your childhood teacher and God's prophet, are just starters.
For Manasseh, you, and I God has these thoughts. He made a promise before and after Manasseh. “God keeps his word even when the whole world is lying though its teeth.” (Romans 3.4) As hard as it is for us to accept in our hearts, God loves us totally and unconditionally. God has our dirt, beyond our greatest horror. God even anticipates that we will repeat the past, not just once, but again and then again. In light of all this he says, “I love you without reservation”.
Where does that leave us today? “God will be right there with you, he'll keep you safe and sound.” (Proverbs 3.26)
