Judgment and Freedom: One Year Later

"All rise for the Judge! Court is now in session."

The Judgment

One year ago, today I sat in a courtroom. I was on trial for a crime against humanity. My defense attorney had already made his compelling argument to try and dismiss my charge, but the Prosecution wasn't having it, and definitely not the judge.

And so, I sat there in the chair. My parents right behind me and strangers across from them. I knew what was about to happen. My crime was going to be displayed for all to see. And it was. A moment in time burned into my memory, I refused to watch the highlight reel of my worst moment in history. My parents confused as to my action and me left without an explanation that would satisfy anyone, including myself, on why I did this.

The judge was about to pass his sentence. 90 days in prison plus treatment. And then my attorney presented the voices of friends and family to advocate for me.

After minutes of waiting and expecting impending doom that would ruin my life, the judge passed his sentence. It still hurt, but grace was applied lessening the severity. I walked out of the courtroom alive and with my life still intact. I took a financial blow, but that paled in consideration to the fact that my life remained.

The Sentence

Instead of 90 days in prison guaranteed, I was given 60 days in prison only if I broke the law again. Otherwise just 1 year of court ordered supervision (probation) and therapy.

It sounds easy, but again, another financial hurdle. Thankfully I still had a job that supported me through this. And after 1 whole year...the day has come.

Freedom

It's a strange feeling to finally be here. Liberation from judgment, the optimism in financial recovery, a new look on life.

(Freedom (freedom) freedom (freedom) freedom (freedom) freedom)- Aretha Franklin: Think

Reflection

Going through this chapter of my life where I'm on trial and my life hangs in the balance of a judge, gave me a glimpse of my future in potentially 60 years. To stand before the throne of Judgment. God reading the book of my life, judging me for every transgression I ever made. But the verdict doesn't come from my life book. It comes from God's exclusive Lamb's Book of Life. The book that holds the names of every individual through time that has been saved by God's grace through the atonement of Christ Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

If this were then, once the judgment is passed, and I was found guilty, that would be the end of my story. God is the ultimate judge. We make transgressions all the time. But until you have to answer for them, by having The Law stare you down, the gravity of our human nature is all for granted. We take grace for granted.

But time is running out. One day you too will be standing in a room. No jury, just The Judge. Rightoues and holy, and He will bring you to your knees in humility. Do you wait for the judgment of death to claim you or will you repent of your transgressions and recieve salvation paid by Jesus?

Your story could be starting or ending. Don't wait to find out what your sentence is.

My story is still being written but I walk in confidence of my decisions. Soli Deo Gloria