Erasing Wrongs

We all have random experiences that leave us with a lasting impression. One of those came for me while taking an English Composition class in the late 70’s. When time came for the final exam the professor walked into the room with a hand full of pencils. He gave one to each student along with his assignment. “I want you to write a 500 word theme about the use of your pencil.” While dumbfounded at first, the ideas eventually began to flow. One of the primary thoughts I developed focused upon the eraser. With one end you scribe your mistakes, but with the other you have the ability to remove them. It would be wonderful if we could use the same tool to remove all of life’s blunders and pain, however we are not so fortunate. Having this knowledge is what prompted Paul to write in 1 Corinthians 13:5 “love thinks no evil.” The word “think” used here is a bookkeeper’s term. It has to do with keeping records. In essence this prolific writer was saying “Love is life’s eraser that helps us to deal with the wrongs done.” Peter expressed it this way, “Love covers a multitude of sin.” So what is the lesson to be learned? When one operates in love there is no Sin that cannot be forgiven, no wound that cannot be healed, and no feeling of emptiness that cannot be filled. Love is the eraser that God uses when He looks at us and suddenly has a case of amnesia. He encourages us to use the same. It’s easy for us to focus upon the pointed end of the pencil listing every wrong done. Yet, serenity and happiness in life comes when using the eraser.