Forgiveness

I was pretty lazy on Saturday, and at one point I found myself watching some kind of weird show on one of the major networks about forgiveness. It wasn’t a Christian show at all, but I’d been thinking about all the chaos in church and people I respect acting...well...not the way I’d expect grown men to act. I’ve been going around in a funky stew for weeks because of cover-ups, lies of omission, denials, fraud--all the stuff I hate about myself and my history that I’ve seen in our church environment lately. Besides not knowing what to do or say in the wake of it all, I’ve been feeling downright pissed off.

So anyways, I’m watching this show called Choosing to Forgive, and it’s testimonies of these people from different faiths and walks of life who’ve suffered some horrific trauma and have chosen to forgive the person(s) responsible for their loss and anguish.

The Lord commanded us to forgive because forgiveness is about our freedom. Forgiveness is for the wounded first, and for the perpetrator second. Forgiveness sets me free even if people don’t realize they’ve offended me, even if relationship is impossible.

Anyway I realized while watching that show that I needed to forgive the people who didn’t listen, or judged me, or said they needed my input but really didn’t want it, or hid themselves behind a spiritual mask, clutching their fig leaves, or are just plain obtuse, or said they care but never bothered to ask how I’m doing. I don’t have to understand these things. A thorough analysis would bring no real peace.

The only thing to do is to choose to forgive, and ask the Lord to keep my heart soft toward others. He loves them despite their shortcomings, same as He loves me.