The sermon in our church this Sunday was about running a good race, leaving behind things that hinder and pressing on towards the prize. We really enjoyed it and got a lot from it. Interestingly, the part of the sermon that caught some people’s attention was not actually the verses from Hebrews 12. Strangely, it was when one of our elders who was speaking today passed round a laminated sheet of paper that he confessed was a bit corny that I took closer notice. It was simply a large black Nike swoosh logo. Many of us were able to correctly define the slogan that used to go with it as ‘just do it.’ He was not asking us to go home and forget about putting into practice his teaching, nor try this week or even tomorrow. He meant from today, he meant from now. So that is what I am aiming to do.
I have chosen to focus on the part of the message about:
‘Letting go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into.’ (Hebrews 12: 2. Passion translation.)
For me one of the main things that hinders me in my walk with Jesus is my unwillingness or inability to forgive those who have hurt me in the past. I often think this is not an issue. But I think if I am really honest, it is so much of an issue that I have normalised it and often do not notice it anymore. That, of course, can cause untold strongholds in my mind and emotions. I have allowed bitterness to seep in, and it has affected some of my relationships and general attitudes in life. It has become a poison. From feeling hard done by and wronged by people in my life it has become me that has been negatively affected the most. It becomes a sort of self-sabotage or even self-destructive attitude on my part. And this in turn must have negative impact on those I interact with.
But this morning as the rest of our day ticked on, my wife and I considered how to proceed in-light-of the wise words from the pulpit today. In my case I have chosen to work on forgiveness, and to seek to learn how to do this deeply and unconditionally. It may be the first time I have tried to do this unreservedly, and no doubt it will throw up difficult emotions. I pray that God will help me through the process, and lead me to a place where I can begin to invest in stronger, more natural relationships with those I love and create better family times and better communication from me.
I do need to lighten up, and if this process enables that to flow more naturally it could, I hope, open-up new doors in other areas too. I am looking forward with anticipation to a brighter, easier, and less anxious future.
I may be just giddy about a fresh idea from an elder who likes to preach candidly and with frank honesty. My response may not turn out to be a lasting one. But I do think that this, (among other things I am listening to and attempting to put into practice,) will help get me moving again. I have been stagnant and stuck for too long. It is time to aim for a greater understanding of victories to come. And to be better able to bless others along the way.
Is there anything you are holding on to that is too heavy for you? It is painful, I know. But Jesus’s burden is light, He can carry you through and help you move on too. He is justice, and has as much care as we do over wrongs and unfair circumstances. He will one day put all those right. But sometimes He needs us to forgive, forget and move on.
G
encouragement from someone who has been through the fire 