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There Is Freedom In Forgiveness!
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LET'S SAY SOMEONE --
* accidently steps on your toe
* cuts in front of you on the freeway
* says something that really hurts your feelings
COULD YOU FORGIVE THEM?
NOW, LET'S SAY SOMEONE --
* fired you for no apparent reason
* slept with your spouse
* abused you
NOW, COULD YOU FORGIVE THEM?
If you're like me, you can respond easily to the first set of examples above, but the second set puts forgiveness in an entirely different light. Forgiveness might not be the first thing to come to mind if you've fallen victim to these situations. Yet, if we are truly to be free, we must strive to do just that! True freedom lies in the act of forgiving those who don't deserve it. It is the freedom Christ sought for us on the cross. His act of supreme love and complete self-sacrifice literally freed us to walk through the gates of heaven to eternal life! Be free!
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Thoughts for May -
I'm finally at the point where I know that I know God is able. You might ask, "Didn't you know that all along?" Well,certainly - in my head. It just took a while for my heart and my actions to catch up :)
For example, my favorite scripture to quote is Psalm 27:10. It simply says no matter what your childhood was like, you still have a father and mother in God. As a parent, I know that I would do almost anything for the well-being of my children - including denying them what they might desparately think they need in any given moment. Why? Because essentially I can foresee the negative in eating sixteen ice cream cones in one sitting. I can also - in the same instance - envision myself sitting beside the porcelain throne, holding the head of one very ill child. Here lies the potential for a very long night!
So - I think I'm at the point where I can consider denial of one of my own "wants" by my Father to be better for me in the long run than it actually feels at the moment. I practice the point by praying, "Thank you, Father, for NOT giving me what definitely appeals to my flesh, but would taint my Jeremiah 29:11 plan in the long run. I trust You more than my own emotions and judgments".
The prospect of being able to detour around a few pointless and sometimes agonizing mountains by heeding the Father is certainly more appealing is it not?
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