Well, today's Cafe Chat question is (what we would say in the South) "a doozie". Today's question is this:
What is one thing that you feel you cannot share with another person about yourself? (You think if they knew this one thing or struggle that they may not accept you).
WOW! Where to begin? It's so easy to sweep things under "the rug of our hearts" so that everything is neat and tidy for those who are a part of our lives. But, we all know that "this thing" is still there, even though we think that we have "cleaned up the evidence" for the outside world.
I would have to call myself the "chief of sinners" when it comes to doing something that the Lord very specifically tells us not to do. I would have to say that my struggle would be with harboring "unforgiveness". This is something that I have to battle with on almost daily basis. I have had to come to realize two things regarding the subject of forgiveness in my life: 1) It doesn't come easy for me and 2) I cannot do it in my own strength
When I find myself struggling with the issue of forgiveness, the Lord gently reminds me of David's forgiveness for Saul in I Samuel 24:10-12:
10 Look, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’ 11 Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it. 12 Let the LORD judge between you and me, and let the LORD avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.
In addition to the picture of forgiveness by David, the picture is also painted by none other than Jesus himself in Luke 23:34:
34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”[a]
And they divided His garments and cast lots.
I could honestly sit and write on this for the rest of the day. However, for time's sake, I will tell you this. It has been over many a night in the prayer closet of my heart that I begged God to show me how to forgive. And, even though it sounds like an oversimplification of the solution, it is this. God just very plainly reminds me each time that the person I am trying to find forgiveness for is His child. Whether or not that person has come to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ or not, He gently reminds me that He came to the Cross for many more than just little me. That person that I'm trying to forgive has access to the same God that I have access to. Yes, that person must realize their sin, repent of it and turn from it, just like I did. And, they must make Jesus the Lord of their lives. But the key to this whole struggle for me is that regardless of that person's relationship with the Lord, I am to forgive them, no matter what. If they indeed do not know the Lord, then it should also be an open door for me to tell that person about the Lord and His saving grace.
I have come to the point now that I don't beat myself up over this issue anymore but instead, I try and deal with it head on. I am thankful to the Lord for everything that He has taught me in the past few years regarding the forgiveness of one of His creations. I pray that those reading this post will also find the power of forgiveness in their lives. It is truly a freeing thing for me, as I hope that it will be for others.
I have come to the point now that I don't beat myself up over this issue anymore but instead, I try and deal with it head on. I am thankful to the Lord for everything that He has taught me in the past few years regarding the forgiveness of one of His creations. I pray that those reading this post will also find the power of forgiveness in their lives. It is truly a freeing thing for me, as I hope that it will be for others.
Labels: Saturday's Cafe Chat
