Let It Go

We are nearing a time so precious to Christians, believers in Christ. Some moments that on their own may have not alerted anyone that something was fixing to happen. But, when you see them all connected together as a journey to overcome sin and the death of the grave? Magnificent act of love and forgiveness.

The Passover Meal with His disciples and that one who would betray. The time spent in the Garden of Gethsemane on His knees, so prayerful, in agony at what lay before Him. So steadfast in His desire to carry out the will of His Father. Standing before mere men, humiliated, stripped and beaten. Suspended between heaven and earth nailed to a cross. Darkness covering Him, the earth quaking and people known to be dead walking in the streets. Death. Burial. Then He showed us what victory looks like!!

I have had experience as many of you that required forgiveness either from me or extended to me. In my case, it took many years to forgive, set those bags down and renew a relationship with my precious earthly Father. Our renewed relationship would replace some of the bad times with beautiful new memories. Seven years after we made peace, he became very ill. It was my honor to walk that eight month journey with him. Love him and care for him. That time also brought me ever closer to my Heavenly Father. What would that time have been like had Dad and I not resolved the conflict in our relationship?

The life of Jesus was about forgiveness. He took all my sins, all your sins, all humanities sins and carried them to the cross. Covered them with His blood and now sits at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf. Still forgiving.

Now if He did that. If He continues to forgive us our sins. Not His sins. Our sins. Why do we punish each other by withholding forgiveness? There are people walking among us who long to be forgiven for something that happened years back in their past. Yet it is withheld. Punishment doled out periodically just to be sure they haven’t forgotten what they did to us. They need to forgive themselves and move on. So much easier if the parties involved extend the hand of grace, mercy and yes that hard thing…forgiveness. Unlock that prison, set them free and let ourselves go free from our own prison of anger and bitterness.

In my circumstance, I began to understand what my Dad was going through because of decisions he made many years earlier. Decisions that broke a family apart and hurt his daughters. I was blinded from understanding before I forgave Him. The point is. How can we expect the forgiveness of our sins from the One who died for them and yet withold forgiveness from those who caused us pain, fear, humiliation, heartache, slander of character, and broken relationships? Aren’t those pretty much the same things our Savior suffered in our place? Yet, He asked the Father to forgive.

I forgive. First, because I’ve been forgiven by God. Second, unforgiveness makes me miserable. And, third, I’m going to need more forgiveness for the future. So we don’t forgive for their benefit. We actually forgive for ours. –Rick Warren

There is a popular song from the movie “Frozen.” Everytime I hear it, one line strikes close to my heart…

I’m never going back, the past is in the past! Let it go, Let it go. –From the movie Frozen. Lyrics by Kristen Anderson Lopez and Robert Lopez

If there is someone you need to forgive, do it now. Your burden will be immediately lifted. We are only assured of today. No guarantees regarding tomorrow.  We must be busy striving for obedience to God’s word. Let it go.

Scripture For Today:

Colossians 3:13
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (NKJ)

Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! We pray for a nature that forgives. A spirit that bears up under affliction. We ask for the strength to forgive those who have hurt us as Christ has forgiven us. Let us begin here, asking You to forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.