Forgiveness

Today's blog is dedicated to my friend Sharmen, not because she can't forgive or needs forgiveness, but because she is faithful to ride my tail to write. Thanks Sharmen!

We all want freedom. Turn on the news any given day and you will hear people talk about liberty, rights, and freedom. Many are oppressed from the outside - people with little to no rights who are smothered by their own government and rulers. Then there are some who are oppressed from the inside - people like you and me who, because we harbor sin, do not experience the freedom Christ came to establish for His people.

Over the past few years I have been finding more and more freedom in Christ. In fact, I have a stratigically placed picture to remind me of my freedom. It is a dove who is taking flight as the chains on her feet are broken and falling off. I love this picture, for it beautifully represents what Christ came to do for me and for you. Our freedom was bought with Christ's one time sacrifice, but our realization to walk in it is a daily process; a process that takes time and maturity.

I have come to understand that one of the strongest chains of bondage is our unwillingness to forgive. Nothing causes more unnecessary pain. Nothing rips at a heart more fiercely. Nothing holds us in a tighter grip than unforgiveness. Scripture tells us in Colossians 3:12-13, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you must do."

We all need forgiveness, and we all need to forgive. We don't just forgive the little things, we forgive the big things. We shouldn't simply forgive to a point, we should forgive all the time - seventy times seven. With this forgiveness comes the renewing of the spirit. We gain strength and joy. We realize hope and grace. We break free and fly!

I have come to realize that I have harbored much unforgiveness, reciting in my head words that have hurt and behaviors that have crushed my spirit. Each time I relive those experiences, I strengthen the chains that bind me. I remind myself that some people do not accept me and look down on me. Like a tape recorder playing over and over in my head I hear words that cut, I see situations that destroy my self value. I relive the pain over and over. I refuse to live like this any more. I want to be free to live out all that God has for me. I will no longer allow myself to be held in the bondage of unforgiveness. Yes, I have the choice. I can walk free, or remain entangled.

Today and every day I plan to forgive. No longer will I harbor unforgiveness. I refuse. I choose forgiveness. I no longer feel the need to hold someone accountable for what they have done to me. God is just, He can do that. I wasn't created to carry that burden. I no longer want it. Even now I can feel the chains breaking. I can feel my wings begin to stretch. Yes, I'm taking flight! I am not bound any longer by my unforgiveness. I am only bound by God's grace. Yes, this is where I want to be. This is where I was created to be.

So, are you burdened and heavy hearted? Perhaps there is someone you need to forgive. Perhaps you are living in past hurts. Who are you allowing to hold you in chains because you are angry and hurt? Can you forgive them? Remember, no pain has been caused us greater than the pain our sin has caused our God. He has forgiven us. He even loves and chooses us. Can we forgive knowing that in doing so we are exhibiting the beauty of our Savior? I believe so for at no time do we look more like Him than when we forgive.