I am aware of the need for reconciliation. When are told in Scripture to reconcile with each other. What does that mean? Does that mean saying “you’re sorry” (assuming we really meant it) and then the case is closed? I have come to realize the answer is never that clear. Reconciliation requires more effort than I think we are willing to admit. Forgiveness is not easy. As the saying goes “to forgive is to forget.” This statement is uncategorically wrong! While I admit that forgiving is in a sense moving on, the statement is wrong because “forgetting” does not always mean we have dealt with the problem. In most cases forgetting means to cover up. When we do this, we live with a virus inside of us that in time will try to destroy us. Forgiveness means coming face to face with the pain. Sometimes it is looking into the eyes of the person who has wrong you and telling them of the pain. Telling them of the betrayal, telling them of the lose of trust. It is only when we come face to face with the issue(s) will we be able to forgive. I am not saying that we have to do this with every offense. I think it becomes necessary when for instance , when you are around the person(s), your blood boils. When you look at them with contempt and frustration, it is time to talk!
Forgiveness stinks because it forces us to come face to face with the problem. In some cases we may seem as though we are being hurt all over again. For instance, to forgive a rapist is to come face to face with the lose of something pure, the theft of innocence. In an unfortunate situation such as this is Jesus’ opportunity to come and bring healing. You see when we are called to forgive, it is an opportunity to come face to face with Jesus. To look into his eyes and pour out our heart. Be it tears, shouting, anger, whatever it may be, it is the chance to hear him say “give it to me!”I do not want to give it to him, because my flesh wants to be angry. It wants justice! It wants the person(s) to experience the same pain if not more pain because of the sin infected on me. How twisted is this thought? Jesus does not give us our dues! Mercifully, he forgives! Jesus is the perfect example of forgiveness. He forgave the people who were killing him! What a thought, to look into the eyes of the offender, even during and say I forgive you! In a selfish moment, you get to experience (in some degree) what Jesus did! You get to experience another type of love, a love that is rarely seen in the church. A love that is truly unconditional. May it be so!
Thoughts?
