A startling song

Mac Brock's song I Am Loved depicts a meeting with our heavenly Father.  The refrain distracted me at first:
There is no disappointment in Your eyes
There is no shame there is only pride
I thought "no disappointment?" That's overdone. Surely I've disappointed God in many ways.
But as I thought further, I think the song is right.  I am indeed forgiven, so deeply forgiven. That's what the Scripture means to say our sins are removed from us as far as the east from the west. That's what it means when it says he will remember our sin no more. That is what the loving father showed when the prodigal came home, dressing him anew in fine robes and the golden ring and commanding a feast.

Why do I hesitate at this picture of the depths of grace? Am I still thinking that being saved by grace is fine for other people, but I'd like to earn a gold star? Isn't the central act of this story really about the wonder of who God is, the forgiver and reconciler? Why do I keep wanting to (or why am I driven to) think the story needs to be about how well or poorly I have done?


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