I've been thinking a lot about Thomas during this Easter Season. How often am I like Thomas? How often do I fail to see God's hands are truly at work in a situation even when I can't see "things" happening? How often do I demand to see the scars, touch the places where the nails pierced his hands? How often when he says TRUST ME, do I jump to do things without letting go? I think many of us are like Thomas- we need that visualization. We need to have something tangible to touch. When, really, what we need to do is trust him.
Two situations immediately come to my mind where I am not always waiting on God but wanting to jump in. God has recently instructed me very clearly when I pray that He will bring this out in the open. He will do this. I have been on my knees in the office, on my knees at home and praying in the car. . . The same answer comes from Him. In another situation, God asked me, "Will you trust me, no matter the outcome?" Pretty bold question. I often wonder how different our lives would be if we totally 110% trusted him? Each day in my life, I really am striving to see God's daily provision. As one of my friends told me a few days ago- God is in all the small mundane details of our daily lives. And, my friends, He is in all the little things of our lives, all the little details we think may not matter, he is still looking after us.
God is so faithful. My scripture for today is Psalm 61:2-3 Lead me to the rock that is higher than I: for you are my refuge.
God longs to have a relationship with us. He desires fellowship with me, a lowly human being. Someone who is truly "just human." He still, despite my many flaws, my many times of doubt, my fears, loves me greatly. Thank you, Jesus, for continuing to amaze me!
Showing posts with label Forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forgiveness. Show all posts
Friday, April 24, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter!
2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. . . "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " Luke 24: 2-3, 5b-7
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Does Forgiveness Mean Forgetting?
I wrote this a while back. . . Thought I would post tonight.
In a recent conversation with someone via txt, he made the comment that forgiveness doesn't equal forgetting in regard to humans. I didn't immediately disagree with this comment, but in a later txt message, I did. I honestly do not think this person believes the offended people have forgiven him, myself is included in that group. Since that time, I have really been praying and thinking about this statement.
I've not had a lot of time to "think" this week; my quiet time has fallen way short until today. It seems my primary focus of the week has been to put up my Christmas decorations, go to PT, rest/sleep, working on our bible study schedule, organize Esther materials (which I am so excited to be doing!!), Pack to go home, drive home, help my parents with a few things, etc. etc. etc. . . On Wed. I had a test scheduled at the hospital, which took around three hours. Part of the time, you are lying under a camera as it takes pictures. This is before they inject what my nurse called, “the torture medicine.” Just an FYI, she was right. My hope was to utilize some of this time to sleep. I had gotten up extra early in order to pack a few things for Thanksgiving prior to rounds at the hospital that morning.
Well, God didn't have that in his plan. I spent most of it in prayer along with time contemplating this question. Last night, I finally took some more quiet time. I am at my parent’s house. My parents LOVE taking care of Shelton and Molly. It is funny to watch. When Molly demands (with rather loud howling I might add) her breakfast at 5AM, my parents have been gracious enough to let me stay snuggled under the covers and take care of her. One of the most special times for me in the past few months has been my quiet time with God. I’ve come to truly treasure each moment spent in his presence.
While at home, I asked my sister what her opinion of this was, she said that truly we should forget but it is human nature to not forget. She went on to say that perhaps the best compromise is for people to be able to forgive, not totally forget, but not harp on the topic every time the opportunity to do so arises. I also asked my 87 year old grandmother what were her thoughts on this matter. Her response, you need to forgive and we should forget, but it is not easy to always do the later.
According to Wikipedia, “Forgiveness is typically defined as the process of ceasing to feel resentment, indignation or anger for a perceived offense, difference or mistake, and ceasing to demand punishment or restitution.” So, if we looked at the world’s definition, we might see where his statement is correct. You forgive, but you do not desire restitution for the offense. You realize you may not receive the apology you feel you deserve, the money someone owes, or the restoration to a worldly place in society. But, you move on from it.
One of my friends has told me time and time again, you forgive them, but you always keep your defense in play. Ok, I love football and will be the first to admit that your defense is key. (FYI: GO PIRATES!!!) However, just as vital is your offense. If you don’t put points on the board, ya don’t win games. So, always being on defense is not the correct strategy. Where is the trust factor in that?
My human side has one answer; my Christ-like side has another.
I look at my life and all the mistakes I have made (boy we could write a few million pages about that) and I think WOW God can forgive me from all of that? And, if he has forgiven me, does he truly forget? I believe that he does. If God truly forgives me and
forgets about all the horrible things I have done, how can I as a Christian not forget when I am wronged, when I don’t get the apology I deserve, when I don’t get the answers to “why” did this person do this, or when their actions do not make sense?
There is a song entitled One Drop of Blood, by Ray Boltz, I like the song and think it fits this situation. A portion of the lyrics are below:
Standing in the courtroom
When I heard, how do you plead?
The accuser of the brethren
Was staring at me
He said, we got your number
There is no escape
For here are your transgressions,
Your failures and mistakes
He pointed to the corner
Where the scales of justice stood
I saw so many failures there
There was nothing good
And in that very moment
When it seemed all hope was lost
I said, I plead the blood of Jesus
And his death upon the cross
CHORUS:
One drop of blood
Fell to the scales
It covered my transgressions
And all the times I failed
The enemy was mighty
He came in like a flood
He was defeated by one drop of blood
I have this image of judgment day where we are all brought before the Lord. My image is a little high tech, so it may be stretching it a bit, but nothing is impossible with God. I see God bringing us all before him as we stand in awe of our King. In front is an LCD projector and screen set up. He shows us our mistakes, our poor choices, our sins and says, “now this what would have happened if you had chosen this or that,” and lets us see what we could have helped with if we had gone on that mission trip, given money to the homeless person we saw, helped a friend in need. God’s work and plans will go on even if we choose not to participate, but I know when I allow him to use me how fulfilled I am. He uses judgment time to show us our sins, our mistakes, our transgressions, our failed promises, our failures.
And, then, he gives us the best words ever uttered, “My child you are forgiven,” then he wipes the “slate” clean- totally forgetting our mistakes. I have often thought he shows us our sins in order to show us more of his glory. But, my point is this, he forgets. He forgets the lies, the hatred, the lust, the murder, the cursing, the idolatry, and so much more.
I am a lowly human being, how can I expect to forgive and forget? Does our human nature keep us from truly forgiving because we can’t forget? I believe if we are Christians, we are to be Christ-like in our actions here on earth. We are to strive to be Christ’s shining example to the world. What better way to accomplish this than our actions? Have you ever noticed how much a small child will mimic their parents? Watching and observing, they learn how to do basic skills- eating, communication, and so much more. Aren’t non-Christians watching our actions and seeing how we respond to others? I could write a lot more, but I truly feel that this scripture sums up why we are to not only forgive, but to forget as well.
Philippians 3:7-12
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ
9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Pressing on Toward the Goal
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Verses 13b through 15 are my primary reason for believe we are to strive to forget the wrongs we have endured. We are to “forget what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” We are to “press toward the goal to win the prize.” If we do not forgive and forget, we fail to be able to move on. We stay focused in the past- and let Satan’s strongholds take root into our hearts.
In the past few months, I have truly wrestled with God concerning praying for someone who hurt me in the past. I felt I had forgiven him and was working to forget. There have been nights God has awakened me in the middle of the night to pray for him. One night, I wrestled with God almost four hours before finally being obedient. My human nature did not desire to pray for this person. Even though in my mind I had forgiven him, my human nature was failing to forget. However, my heart needed to be obedient to God.
I started praying for him as often as God instructed me to. In the middle of a busy day at work, upon being awaken in the middle of the night, or during my quiet time I might be instructed to pray. On another occasion I felt God leading me to leave him an anonymous note and a book. I prayed for over a month on this, and was eventually obedient to God. I have this image of God sitting up in Heaven with a two-by-four wanting to smack me over the head for failing to trust and follow Him.
One Sunday morning, I woke up and was not feeling well. I needed a few items from the store. I had gotten up, had my prayer time, and again felt led to pray for this person. It was another two-by-four moment, but I was obedient and prayed. After all, when a girl doesn’t feel well, the last thing she really wants to do is pray for someone else.
As I was dressing to head out the door, I felt that I would see this person at Wal-Mart. Immediately I dismissed this thought as this particular person does not like to shop at Wal-Mart here in our town. During my short drive to the store, I again felt God speak to me and say, “You will see him at Wal-Mart, when you do you need to pray.” So, I pulled into the parking lot, still not believing this would be the case. I open my car door from my very close parking spot and turned to look. He was walking across the parking lot. I almost passed out. Instead, I got in my car and began to pray. I left the parking lot and called a dear friend for guidance. She told me you need to go back to Wal-Mart and continue praying. I went and prayed. I later confirmed with this person that I was not crazy. He was actually at Wal-Mart with no particular purpose that morning. I love a God moment! I had been asking for a sign that continuing to pray for him was truly God’s plan. It is truly difficult to pray for someone many consider an “enemy,” yet when God commands you do to something, often it is in order to grow your walk. God certainly has grown my faith as well as my trust in him through this experience.
A few months ago, I traveled to Anderson, South Carolina. My purpose was to meet a man. You may recall the famous movie with shares his life story- RADIO. It had always been a dream of mine to meet Mr. Kennedy. I had some one on one time with both him and Coach Jones. Coach Jones is the man who fought to bring Radio into the school system and he truly changed a community. This was a special time and I can honestly say, a time that changed my life. Coach Jones is a very humble person and I am honored to have come to know him. He shared with me some of the many acts of hate RADIO endured as a child/teenager. If you ever spend a moment with RADIO one quickly realizes that he considers everyone a friend. Acts against him are quickly forgiven and most importantly easily forgotten.
Ultimately, for me, I believe that to truly forgive one must forget past transgressions. No matter what a person has done to you, we are all guilty of sinning. If we are to become closer to God, our hearts must choose to forget worldly wrongs, as “our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
In a recent conversation with someone via txt, he made the comment that forgiveness doesn't equal forgetting in regard to humans. I didn't immediately disagree with this comment, but in a later txt message, I did. I honestly do not think this person believes the offended people have forgiven him, myself is included in that group. Since that time, I have really been praying and thinking about this statement.
I've not had a lot of time to "think" this week; my quiet time has fallen way short until today. It seems my primary focus of the week has been to put up my Christmas decorations, go to PT, rest/sleep, working on our bible study schedule, organize Esther materials (which I am so excited to be doing!!), Pack to go home, drive home, help my parents with a few things, etc. etc. etc. . . On Wed. I had a test scheduled at the hospital, which took around three hours. Part of the time, you are lying under a camera as it takes pictures. This is before they inject what my nurse called, “the torture medicine.” Just an FYI, she was right. My hope was to utilize some of this time to sleep. I had gotten up extra early in order to pack a few things for Thanksgiving prior to rounds at the hospital that morning.
Well, God didn't have that in his plan. I spent most of it in prayer along with time contemplating this question. Last night, I finally took some more quiet time. I am at my parent’s house. My parents LOVE taking care of Shelton and Molly. It is funny to watch. When Molly demands (with rather loud howling I might add) her breakfast at 5AM, my parents have been gracious enough to let me stay snuggled under the covers and take care of her. One of the most special times for me in the past few months has been my quiet time with God. I’ve come to truly treasure each moment spent in his presence.
While at home, I asked my sister what her opinion of this was, she said that truly we should forget but it is human nature to not forget. She went on to say that perhaps the best compromise is for people to be able to forgive, not totally forget, but not harp on the topic every time the opportunity to do so arises. I also asked my 87 year old grandmother what were her thoughts on this matter. Her response, you need to forgive and we should forget, but it is not easy to always do the later.
According to Wikipedia, “Forgiveness is typically defined as the process of ceasing to feel resentment, indignation or anger for a perceived offense, difference or mistake, and ceasing to demand punishment or restitution.” So, if we looked at the world’s definition, we might see where his statement is correct. You forgive, but you do not desire restitution for the offense. You realize you may not receive the apology you feel you deserve, the money someone owes, or the restoration to a worldly place in society. But, you move on from it.
One of my friends has told me time and time again, you forgive them, but you always keep your defense in play. Ok, I love football and will be the first to admit that your defense is key. (FYI: GO PIRATES!!!) However, just as vital is your offense. If you don’t put points on the board, ya don’t win games. So, always being on defense is not the correct strategy. Where is the trust factor in that?
My human side has one answer; my Christ-like side has another.
I look at my life and all the mistakes I have made (boy we could write a few million pages about that) and I think WOW God can forgive me from all of that? And, if he has forgiven me, does he truly forget? I believe that he does. If God truly forgives me and
forgets about all the horrible things I have done, how can I as a Christian not forget when I am wronged, when I don’t get the apology I deserve, when I don’t get the answers to “why” did this person do this, or when their actions do not make sense?
There is a song entitled One Drop of Blood, by Ray Boltz, I like the song and think it fits this situation. A portion of the lyrics are below:
Standing in the courtroom
When I heard, how do you plead?
The accuser of the brethren
Was staring at me
He said, we got your number
There is no escape
For here are your transgressions,
Your failures and mistakes
He pointed to the corner
Where the scales of justice stood
I saw so many failures there
There was nothing good
And in that very moment
When it seemed all hope was lost
I said, I plead the blood of Jesus
And his death upon the cross
CHORUS:
One drop of blood
Fell to the scales
It covered my transgressions
And all the times I failed
The enemy was mighty
He came in like a flood
He was defeated by one drop of blood
I have this image of judgment day where we are all brought before the Lord. My image is a little high tech, so it may be stretching it a bit, but nothing is impossible with God. I see God bringing us all before him as we stand in awe of our King. In front is an LCD projector and screen set up. He shows us our mistakes, our poor choices, our sins and says, “now this what would have happened if you had chosen this or that,” and lets us see what we could have helped with if we had gone on that mission trip, given money to the homeless person we saw, helped a friend in need. God’s work and plans will go on even if we choose not to participate, but I know when I allow him to use me how fulfilled I am. He uses judgment time to show us our sins, our mistakes, our transgressions, our failed promises, our failures.
And, then, he gives us the best words ever uttered, “My child you are forgiven,” then he wipes the “slate” clean- totally forgetting our mistakes. I have often thought he shows us our sins in order to show us more of his glory. But, my point is this, he forgets. He forgets the lies, the hatred, the lust, the murder, the cursing, the idolatry, and so much more.
I am a lowly human being, how can I expect to forgive and forget? Does our human nature keep us from truly forgiving because we can’t forget? I believe if we are Christians, we are to be Christ-like in our actions here on earth. We are to strive to be Christ’s shining example to the world. What better way to accomplish this than our actions? Have you ever noticed how much a small child will mimic their parents? Watching and observing, they learn how to do basic skills- eating, communication, and so much more. Aren’t non-Christians watching our actions and seeing how we respond to others? I could write a lot more, but I truly feel that this scripture sums up why we are to not only forgive, but to forget as well.
Philippians 3:7-12
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ
9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Pressing on Toward the Goal
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Verses 13b through 15 are my primary reason for believe we are to strive to forget the wrongs we have endured. We are to “forget what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” We are to “press toward the goal to win the prize.” If we do not forgive and forget, we fail to be able to move on. We stay focused in the past- and let Satan’s strongholds take root into our hearts.
In the past few months, I have truly wrestled with God concerning praying for someone who hurt me in the past. I felt I had forgiven him and was working to forget. There have been nights God has awakened me in the middle of the night to pray for him. One night, I wrestled with God almost four hours before finally being obedient. My human nature did not desire to pray for this person. Even though in my mind I had forgiven him, my human nature was failing to forget. However, my heart needed to be obedient to God.
I started praying for him as often as God instructed me to. In the middle of a busy day at work, upon being awaken in the middle of the night, or during my quiet time I might be instructed to pray. On another occasion I felt God leading me to leave him an anonymous note and a book. I prayed for over a month on this, and was eventually obedient to God. I have this image of God sitting up in Heaven with a two-by-four wanting to smack me over the head for failing to trust and follow Him.
One Sunday morning, I woke up and was not feeling well. I needed a few items from the store. I had gotten up, had my prayer time, and again felt led to pray for this person. It was another two-by-four moment, but I was obedient and prayed. After all, when a girl doesn’t feel well, the last thing she really wants to do is pray for someone else.
As I was dressing to head out the door, I felt that I would see this person at Wal-Mart. Immediately I dismissed this thought as this particular person does not like to shop at Wal-Mart here in our town. During my short drive to the store, I again felt God speak to me and say, “You will see him at Wal-Mart, when you do you need to pray.” So, I pulled into the parking lot, still not believing this would be the case. I open my car door from my very close parking spot and turned to look. He was walking across the parking lot. I almost passed out. Instead, I got in my car and began to pray. I left the parking lot and called a dear friend for guidance. She told me you need to go back to Wal-Mart and continue praying. I went and prayed. I later confirmed with this person that I was not crazy. He was actually at Wal-Mart with no particular purpose that morning. I love a God moment! I had been asking for a sign that continuing to pray for him was truly God’s plan. It is truly difficult to pray for someone many consider an “enemy,” yet when God commands you do to something, often it is in order to grow your walk. God certainly has grown my faith as well as my trust in him through this experience.
A few months ago, I traveled to Anderson, South Carolina. My purpose was to meet a man. You may recall the famous movie with shares his life story- RADIO. It had always been a dream of mine to meet Mr. Kennedy. I had some one on one time with both him and Coach Jones. Coach Jones is the man who fought to bring Radio into the school system and he truly changed a community. This was a special time and I can honestly say, a time that changed my life. Coach Jones is a very humble person and I am honored to have come to know him. He shared with me some of the many acts of hate RADIO endured as a child/teenager. If you ever spend a moment with RADIO one quickly realizes that he considers everyone a friend. Acts against him are quickly forgiven and most importantly easily forgotten.
Ultimately, for me, I believe that to truly forgive one must forget past transgressions. No matter what a person has done to you, we are all guilty of sinning. If we are to become closer to God, our hearts must choose to forget worldly wrongs, as “our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
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