I was driving down the road when I saw the flashing lights of a police car directly behind me. I wasn’t speeding so I was confused at why he was asking me to pull over, but I complied. When the officer approached my vehicle he asked me if I was aware that my registration tag was expired by a few days. I told him that I didn’t realize this, that it was my husband who would normally take care of this.

The strict officer did not accept my answer and issued me a ticket for $300. I left the incident feeling negligent that I did not renew the registration on time as well as upset that the officer did not extend me some compassion as the registration was only expired by a few days.

I decided to contest the ticket with the judge, desperately hoping that maybe he might decrease the amount payable as the $300 fine was not an amount that I could easily afford. When I was able to speak with the judge he looked at the details of the ticket and decided to pardon the entire amount!

Surprised and joyful at this unexpected outcome, I reflected on my newfound relief and the freedom I experienced from this forgiveness from my debt. I thought about my joy at having this debt removed and about how much greater it is to experience Christ’s forgiveness of our sins!

I remembered that His sacrifice on the cross allows me to experience the ultimate freedom and joy from the debt of punishment for my shortcomings. God is a merciful Judge and He desires for each of us to experience the joy of undeserved forgiveness.