“Forgiveness is giving up my right to hurt you because you have hurt me.”
That’s not my original thought...far from it. But when I read this in one of my favorite books recently, the Holy Spirit highlighted it for me.
This little phrase goes against everything that human fairness demands...you hit me, I hit you back; you yell at me, I yell back; you hold a grudge against me, I hold one against you. Nobody is willing to “give” in these fruitless tug-of-wars.
But “giving” is exactly what is required.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
God expects me to give up my perceived right to fairness, in humble obedience to his command to forgive. After all, look at what he gave up for me.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Thank you, Lord for giving up your right to hurt me, in spite of all the times I have hurt you. Help me to obediently forgive others, even when the world tells me I have the right not to.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
If I Had A Hammer
Do you remember that old Peter, Paul, and Mary song? The fact that I’m even asking the question gives away my age! The lyrics begin:
If I had a hammer,
I’d hammer in the morning
I’d hammer in the evening
All over this land!
I’d hammer out danger
I’d hammer out a warning,
I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land!
For these lyrics to have meaning, you can’t visualize an actual hammer, of course. Instead, consider Webster’s take on the word, “...to keep emphasizing; to develop by careful thought or repeated effort; to drive, force, or shape as with hammer blows.”
Unfortunately, we’re often tempted to pick up our own “hammers” and hit people over the head with them. Rather, we must be a willing hammer in the hand of God, who uses us to strike—whether gently or sharply—with HIS truth...HIS agenda...HIS purpose. HE is the carpenter. WE are the tool.
When we allow God to use us in his service, we must remember that both hammer and nail feel the impact. So let us pray for the strength and grace to endure whatever pain comes with the process.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
If I had a hammer,
I’d hammer in the morning
I’d hammer in the evening
All over this land!
I’d hammer out danger
I’d hammer out a warning,
I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land!
For these lyrics to have meaning, you can’t visualize an actual hammer, of course. Instead, consider Webster’s take on the word, “...to keep emphasizing; to develop by careful thought or repeated effort; to drive, force, or shape as with hammer blows.”
Unfortunately, we’re often tempted to pick up our own “hammers” and hit people over the head with them. Rather, we must be a willing hammer in the hand of God, who uses us to strike—whether gently or sharply—with HIS truth...HIS agenda...HIS purpose. HE is the carpenter. WE are the tool.
When we allow God to use us in his service, we must remember that both hammer and nail feel the impact. So let us pray for the strength and grace to endure whatever pain comes with the process.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
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