Drop One Hundred Sixteen
Mark 11:25
“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions” (NASB1995).
For the last couple of months, I have been waiting to be called to work by my new employer. Though hired and oriented to the company, the start date for the actual work has been postponed. God, in His wisdom, made we wait. And while waiting, I started and finished reading “The Freedom and the Power of Forgiveness” by John MacArthur. If you ever struggled with extending forgiveness or know others that are struggling, I highly recommend it. Even though at this point forgiveness is unilateral, my perspective has changed. I have looked in the mirror of the past, recognized the pride, anger, fear, and blame that was harbored in my heart as unforgiveness. Taking the time to recognize the offenses and the offenders is difficult and heart wrenching. And realizing my holding on to the pain was in no way improving my life and God is judge, forgiveness was the only way to be free. I confessed my sin of holding unforgiveness against them in my heart to God. I am so thankful for the release of this burden. The goal of forgiveness is reconciliation. I am beginning those steps. For the sake of Christ, I pray they choose to forgive so they too can be free. By the way – work starts next week. God is so good! “Trust and obey for there ‘s no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey”!
Heavenly Father,
You are so good, gracious, steadfast, patient and ever so faithful though we can be none of those things without the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for loving us. Forgive me for taking Your love for granted. Help us to be Your ambassadors. All glory and honor belong to You. Help us to be forgiving and prepare the hearts of those we have sinned against for reconciliation this side of Heaven. Going forward, may we truly love one another and bear up each others burdens. May we be quick to forgive minor offenses and quick to discuss, confess and forgive greater ones.
In the Name of Jesus we pray,
AMEN
