In our relationships, do we love other people in their brokenness? Especially if it involves those who hurt us? If we did we would then have to accept them where they are. We would need to forgive them, and if we forgive them then we would not be able to assign blame or hold on to our own hurts that we may feel are justified. We would have to face our own brokenness. I acknowledge and sense resistance within myself and others.
And yet this is what God requires of us.
And then there is the difficulty we have in letting others change. If we have been hurt by someone's words or actions once, twice, even three times, we then see all future encounters with that person from a "guarded" protective perspective. No matter what is said, it is colored by the past. It can become a "damned if you do or damned if you don't" situation. They or we never say or do the right thing. Whether it is with a friend, a neighbor, our boss, or our children, it is often difficult to see the change, be the change, or through love, grace, and forgiveness accept and embrace the change.
And yet this is what God requires of us.
Do we try to hide our brokenness from others? Do we hide it from ourselves by shining a light on the brokenness of others? Does the shame we feel permeate the atmosphere around us? And why is it often so much easier to embrace and help strangers in their imperfection than it is to help and embrace those closest to us? Is it because our own shame, hurt and disappointments get in the way?
Resistance?
And yet this is what God requires of us.
Why is it so easy to point out the sins of others? Why do we put ourselves on a higher plain judging others in their brokenness, making decisions on what is forgivable based on our own experiences or understanding instead of God's Word.
And yet this is what God requires of us.
Loving and forgiving those who have hurt or disappointed us is not denying their actions, it is being obedient to God. Being willing to let go of past hurts while opening our hearts to the positive changes in people does not necessarily mean we forget the past, but it does mean in obedience to God we embrace the future with expectancy. Acknowledging our own brokenness does not shame us, it empowers us. Refusing to judge others from a throne of our own making let's our God be God.
This is what God requires of us.
"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those
who trespass against us."
Matthew 6:12
~~~~
"So now I am giving you a new commandment:
Love one another.
Just as I have loved you, you need to love one another."
John 13:34
2 comments:
Renee, this post hit me right between the eyes today - and with an arrow directed at my heart.
I have spent the last few days with my dad - who says and does so many hurtful things. I know that his mind is fading into senility so rapidly, but the hurts of today are also stirring up the hurts of the past.
I've had some very unsettling feelings lately.
But, you have reminded me that GOD calls me to let go of those feelings, to forgive my dad in obedience to my Heavenly Father.
I sense resistance within myself - (a lot!). May the Holy Spirit give me the strength to let go of MY hurts, and offer the gift of grace to my dad.
GOD BLESS!
Oh Sharon. I am so sorry you are having to go through such a hurtful situation. You are in my prayers. What a blessing to know God walks with us!
Post a Comment