Forgiveness

This past weekend our church had a retreat. The topic was forgiveness, what it is and why it's important. As Christians, it's important because it is the heart of the Gospel of Christ. Our forgiveness by God is the Gospel. As His reflection to the world, we must also forgive. We aren't perfect reflections, but as God's forgiveness for us is ongoing, so should our forgiveness of others. We were challenged to have an attitude of forgiveness. I heard what was to me a new definition of forgiveness. It was "to lift the burden off another; to let go, to release [like opening your hand]; to exercise grace towards someone." Isn't that what it feels like when God forgives us? Isn't it beautifully and totally freeing! When we are in an attitude of forgiveness towards others something great happens to us. As we open our hand we are relinquishing our power over them and releasing our inadequate means and our own direction. But we aren't left to emptiness. We receive God's power, God's means and God's direction for us. It's a win win situation. We aren't saying whatever happened to us was okay or that they are right. What we are saying in forgiving is what grace was given to us, we extend to others. It's part of our conformity to Christ's image and is our obedience to our Lord. Oh, what joy again can be ours as we purify our hearts by forgiving (releasing) the pain to let God deal with what we cannot! What a wonderful God we serve! What a gracious Father we have!