ROL: Forgiveness

Listen:

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Reflect:

How do we forgive, except by concentrating on the kindness and compassion of Jesus, and being grateful for the price he paid? 

On Monday, a friend sent me the verse  ‘Take courage. It is I, don’t be afraid’.  TuesdayTogether was about courage. I wondered what I was about to face. 

On Wednesday, my husband and I received allegations against us copied to 15 others. We are holidaying in the Swiss mountains, my favorite place. Not only did God prepare me, but the timing was his. I have had time to walk and talk with Jesus about it, and time with Neil to pray. Here, surrounded by so much beauty and aware of God and of friends and family who love me, my heart is full of gratitude. 

It will be harder when I get home. I have been wrestling for months with how to forgive those who have now spoken out against us. I think perhaps I have forgiven them as I now have a peace that this situation is in the Lord’s hands. But we still have work to do to find justice and truth. 

Forgiveness is not about letting others off the hook, it’s about letting them off my hook. 

I have written the following prayer. Perhaps you might pray this for yourself and your situation or write your own. Maybe post something on the Facebook page?

Prayer of Response:

Dear Lord Jesus, 

I know that before you we are all equal and I have no right to judge others whilst I myself am in such need of forgiveness. Thank you for your love and forgiveness, your kindness and compassion towards me. They give me the courage to walk on water knowing that you’ll catch me when I fall. 

You know exactly how I feel.In obedience to you, I forgive_________.
I entrust myself and ________ into your hands.
I ask that you will forgive ________ for the way they have treated me.
I ask you to forgive me and help me to receive and live in that forgiveness.
I ask you to show me the next step. 
I need to know when to seek justice and recompense, when to seek reconciliation and when to walk away.
Your will be done.
Amen 

—Submitted by Elaine Davis
I live in the UK, I am retired but busy. I am a church leader, have children and grandchildren to visit, hobbies I don’t find time for, and the opportunity to travel thanks to friends in different parts of the world and a son in Mexico. My last job was as a debt counsellor.

ROL = Rhythm of Life. Our reflections for 2020 are themed around framing and forming a personal Rhythm (Rule) of Life as a Lifesprings community.