Forgiveness

This week I was preparing to do chapel for our preschoolers, and stumbled across an object lesson on forgiveness.  Make a fist, now let it go.  Repeat.  Think about the things that we hold on to: hurt feelings, confusion, rejection, being neglected or overlooked, etc.  However, God teaches us to let those go.  (Releasing of fist.)  When we hold on to those things, we don't have room to receive the things that God has for us.  Our hands are full and fists are clinched.  When we let them go, we have hands outstretched ready to receive blessings from Him.

Obviously this lesson was more for the adults (me included) than for the preschoolers, so we need to do a check-up.  Are we withholding forgiveness from someone?  Are we holding a grudge?  Are we communicating our thoughts and emotions?  Are we confessing our sins to God?  Do we recognize that we also disappoint others?

If we don't forgive, we only hurt ourselves.  Often times, the other person doesn't know we have been offended, and when it's made known there is reconciliation.  Just remember, forgive as Christ has forgiven.  Since I'm a follower of Christ, then I must imitate His actions.  Christ forgave, so then I too must forgive.

Check out Mark 11:24-26; Luke 11:4; Psalm 51:10