There is an old saying, “Better 100 guilty men go free than hang an innocent man.” I can’t think of an injustice greater than an innocent man being executed for a crime he didn’t commit.

Have you ever been falsely accused? I have. Let me tell you, there is not another experience like it. You feel like you have been psychologically and emotionally “raped”. I was hurt so badly that I left the ministry at age 28. In fact, Laura and I did not go to church after that for eight years.

Because of this situation, I ran and got a job in corporate America. I stayed there for 20 years. Did I want revenge? Oh, yeah! Big time!

Now, I have been a Christian for 46 years. My walk with God is marked by more failure than success. However, by God’s grace alone, I did do one thing correctly in this situation. I forgave my wrongdoer and turned over my situation to God. When I was wronged, God saw it. He was right there when it happened to me. At least I knew enough to understand that revenge would not satisfy. That’s God’s job. For once I did the right thing… I remained honorable.

During those 20 years I learned many valuable skills. Things I would never have learned in seminary or by working in a church. I find it fascinating, and just like God, to place me in a position today where I am using those skills; hopefully to His glory and for His purpose. I cling to the hope that there is much more for me to do that could not be done without having first walked through that experience. I want to be able to say, like Joseph, “It was not you who sent me here, but God.”

Don’t let what someone else did to you determine the rest of your life. Trust God, and may each of us forgive as we have been forgiven.

“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.” Genesis 45:8a (NIV)