In order to start a fresh or make amendments where damage has
been caused, there needs to be forgiveness. I don't think there is any time
that we can stay we are starting over or mending relationships, yet there is no
forgiveness. When we do not forgive it generally means that we are still
holding on to the past or to the wrong which we feel was done to us. This is
what Jesus taught about forgiveness, "For if you forgive men their
trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not
forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6: 14, 15. That's why I guess forgiveness for others has
also been included in our Lord's Prayer; to be a constant reminder that we need
to forgive just as we are also forgiven.
Now I am not underestimating people's pain, the hurt and
everything that they go or have gone through because of the wrong people have
done to them. It may not mean much, but I am sorry for your pain. Forgiveness
does not make wrong or sin right, nor does it make pain or hurt unreal. Wrong,
pain and hurt cannot be underestimated, because I think everyone's experience
is personal and only they truly know the pain. Apart from some offenses, which
we really do not have to hold on to or let them affect us, we cannot close our
eyes to wrong either and pretend that it never happened. In order for us to
forgive, we first need to acknowledge the wrong we feel was done to us.
As for the light offenses mentioned above, there is something
that Joyce Meyer mentions; that you have the power not to be offended. Not
everything thrown at us has to offend us, some things will just spoil your day
if you let them. There is also a very
significant statement that a pastor made on Family TV, especially
concerning the ones around us; "people do not always have mischievous
intentions towards us." I think this is a great starting point. Sometimes
we hear what we want to hear and see what we want to see. Note that above I
used the words "what we feel" was done wrong to us. While some offenses are pretty obvious, someone may do or say something that offends us,
without the intention of offending; in some cases people may never even know
that they offended us, so we are practically holding on to something someone
has no idea about. So, starting with me, let's have good thoughts about others,
especially our loved ones.
The Lord says in Isaiah that He will forgive our sins and
remember them no more. This is the power of forgiveness; that we are able to
leave our pasts behind, move forward and fully experience our present lives.
Thus, we cannot say that we will forget our past without forgiving. He also
says,
;but you have burdened Me with your sins, You have wearied Me with your iniquities. I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; Isaiah 43:24,25.
It can be wearing to carry and hold on to grudges, pain and the
past..It is a burden. It takes away your peace and your joy. We call it a "heavy
heart". Holding on to
pain or being bitter, is costly. It does only take away our joy, but it
also distracts us from our daily activities, from performing our best, from
having healthy relationships with our loved ones and the ones around us. So first,
forgiveness pleases God
and secondly, while it may seem we are doing the offender a favour, it actually benefits us.
Well, as Christians it is also a great way to spread the love of Christ.
Forgive today to set yourself free, to experience life fully, to share in the
joy and of Christ, without necessarily thinking about the "favour"
you have done your offender. Forgiveness may not always be easy and we need God
to intercede. Involve Him, pray about it and be honest, even about your
Unwillingness to forgive. Forgive as many times as possible until you finally
forgive, let go. Let it be noted however, that if you are in any situation that
may endanger your life, cause you or your loved ones and other people harm, Call and Ask for Help.
In light of this topic, as a country of Kenya, I think this is
where we need to begin; to forgive each other for whatever offense we think
other people or tribes have done to us. Yes, an apology would be great, but let
us forgive even before that apology has been made. Human beings are quite
something. When you watch movies inspired by racism, colonialism and
segregation, one is reminded of how far we have come. But the saddest part is
that, it is almost like we are always trying to find a reason to be divided and
gather into groups that may not always have positive influence. One time we are
fighting racism as one; another time a country united against another; then country's-men
against country's-men, on the basis of tribe, social class, religion, et cetera;
another time a family against each other. Unity is better and more resourceful
than division. "And if a house is divided against itself that house cannot
stand." Mark 3:25
"For I desire mercy and not sacrifice..." Hosea 6:6
This spoken word piece "Just God" by Ezekiel. Speaks about God and pain..
No comments:
Post a Comment