Why are we as humans so unable to let go and let God? Aren't we a forward moving race? Always looking to the next best thing? Looking back isn't a wise thing--if we did, history wouldn't be a kind judge. So why is it that I--a follower of Jesus Christ, who has no condemnation for what I've done in my past because of the work of Christ on the cross--can't let go of things that have happened to me in the past (specifically, what other believers have done to me)? It's one thing if we sin, but if somebody wrongs us, we never forget it. We spend more time and energy letting other people know how wronged we've been instead of saving the energy and looking toward the Son.
"Oh, God will help me through this. I just need to wait it out." Sure thing He will, but what if in thinking that, we still let our human nature take command and become entrenched in our bitterness until it consumes us? From personal experience...it sucks. We lose sight of God and revert inward. Jesus didn't bridge that gap between us and God to have it be burned down by our stupidity. Thankfully, we have a God of love who comes to us (the rest of those religions out there...get on that.) and puts up with us when we're being dumb.
We all have a choice to make. Do we move forward in Christ and the incredible plans He has for us, shaking off the chains that weigh us down, or do we live a double life that outwardly looks like we follow Christ while we inwardly grumble and moan about how we've been wronged? It took a great friend to point out to me that I'm the only one losing out when I can't forgive and forget. I mean, really, is it that hard for us to forgive another human when Christ forgave all of humanity? I don't think so. At least I can say that now that I'm on the other side of this entire issue. Seventy times seven--that's how many times we're supposed to forgive those who wrong us. For me, it's been more like seventy million times seven that I've been whining about all the wrong that's befallen me.
It's such a complete waste of time.
By not moving past all the pain and hurt, all that I want to do because God has planned it for me is out of reach. Because of me. Funny how that works out. It took someone (that same friend...more like brother) to tell me that I needed to let go, move on. Otherwise, how could I do all that I want? It's not even what I want. It's more of being used by God for the plans He's laid out for me. I mentioned in a post a couple of months ago how we spend so much time looking for God when He's right in front of us. To add to that--sometimes we place the obstacles right in front of us, but He's still there, with arms stretched out waiting for when we can move past that obstacle and run to Him again. I'm so glad I have a Father who abated his judgement because there's nothing I could have done to make myself "right" with Him.
If you're having a hard time letting go, forgiving someone, or just not able to distinguish between what weighs you down and what points you toward the Son, I urge you to go to the Word; go to Him in prayer with it. He's never going to abandon you or forsake you. You'll be amazed at how or what or who He uses to finally get to You. If you don't, you're the only one losing out. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.
Yes, another song. It fits with this entire situation perfectly. Check it out.
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