A few years ago, my wife called to tell me she had just gotten a ticket for speeding in downtown Atlanta. On the phone, I told her how sorry I was, but I was thinking, Finally, you get to find out what it’s like!
She continued, “I can’t believe this, and here’s the worst part: I can’t just pay the fine. I actually have to show up in court in downtown Atlanta. Isn’t that awful?”
“That’s terrible, babe,” I said, but I was thinking,
This is actually kind of funny.
“You are coming with me when I go to court, right?”
I wouldn’t miss that for anything in the world, I thought. I said, “I’ll be there for you, babe.”
The day she was to appear in court, we got downtown early, and when we got outside the courtroom, the bailiffs said, “Everyone who is not going before the judge today should proceed into the courtroom and find a seat. Everyone else goes over here.” So there was my wife in the criminals line.
I went into the courtroom, found a seat, and began to enjoy the show. My wife and her fellow convicts took the walk of shame up to the front of the room to sit on the front row. One by one, the judge began to call out names.
Finally, he called my wife’s name. She stood, and I could see she was shaking like a leaf. I was shaking trying to hold in my laughter.
“Mrs. Adams,” the judge said, “Do you know you were speeding?”
“Yes, sir, I was.”
“How do you plead, ma’am?”
“I plead guilty.”
He looked through some papers and then looked up at Kim and said, “Have you ever had a ticket before?” “No, sir, I haven’t.”
“I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’m not even going to put this on your record. I’m going to let you go with no fine. Please don’t ever speed again.”
It crossed my mind to stand and say, “I object, Your Honor!” But I didn’t, and my wife walked out of that courtroom a free woman, celebrating and rejoicing.
I tell you that story because I want you to understand something: if you are in Christ Jesus, you have already gone before the judge, and he has declared you not guilty. You are free to go.
But in your freedom, now go declare to all those you’ve been keeping in the prison of your personal resentments that you have nothing on them. They’re forgiven, and they’re free to go.
To read more about how to heal your soul and heal your life, click here.