Poema by Anne

When your heart says "hallelujah," and you have that moment where Something Greater eclipses you.
My pastor has been doing a sermon series on The Ten Commandments.
Yesterday's sermon was on Exodus 20:13, simply, "do not murder."
From the pew, I looked at Jacob and whispered, "How in the world does one preach a sermon on this?"
That one is clear, cut and dry, obvious, a no-brainer. Why does it need an hour of study? People who don't know God know that this act is reprehensible, punishable by death in some states. In my closed mind I think that it's unforgivable, as life is precious and sovereign because He breathed into our dust and made us alive. His story for us was etched into His book long before we stretched our arms into earthly air.

God's thoughts, as usual, are higher than my thoughts, and the spectrum of His grace is wider, farther, deeper, and higher than I could ever, ever, ever, ever imagine.
Our pastor asked, "Name three men, who, in the Bible, have had the most impact in the world."
I lean over to Jacob again. Easy. Moses, David, Paul.
Wait . . .
It clicks.
All three: leaders, poets, scholars, fierce warriors, eloquent speakers, men responsible for what we know about God's Story today.
They're surely not . . . murderers.
But, yes.
Yes. All three: murderers.
Killed a man in cold blood by hand or by word.
How but by the grace of God are these men redeemed and used to bring His love to people generations after they breathed on earth.
He is capable and more than able to transform anyone, surely. He is capable and able to forgive any mistake, misdeed, ANYTHING.
The cobwebs of guilt, gathered in my heart for years and years, cleared and the great accuser, scorning and mocking, was defeated for the day.
Hallelujah.