I was watching the Behind the Music: Mary J. Blige edition last night. What a story. Raised by an abusive Dad. Battled cocaine and alcohol addictions. And overcame some tough streets. Her story was pretty intense and inspiring. What struck me as most impactive was her statement that "Through forgiveness comes reconciliation." As well as her commitment to prayer.
My folks have been heavily involved in Mission in Rwanda. I've read quite a novel about the genocide there. And most amazingly the forgiveness and reconciliation that continues to take place. People are living alongside others who have slaughtered their entire families—sometimes in front of their own eyes.
Boyd Bailey tweeted a quote the other day: "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." -Louis B. Smedes. Not sure who Smedes is, but he definitely makes a great point on forgiveness as well.
How often do we keep hold of someone or something who has slighted us. Most likely with nothing to forgive along the lines of molestation or slaughter. But yet we do. Stupidly. I suppose it's mostly pride.
They said this. Or they did this. I want to teach them a lesson. They should know better. They shouldn't treat people like that. I told them so. They are always doing that. They may really even just be a major a-hole. And still we carry the weight of unforgiveness.
If we don't execute the power of forgiveness the burden is ours to carry. The anchor is set. The immobility is eminent. The bars are locked. And we lose out on the freedom and opportunities which come through reconciliation. We may be really missing out on some pretty out of this world things—on joy.
Ephesians 4:32 shares, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Of all our nerve to not forgive.
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