The Hope of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a tricky fellow. It can gnaw at the corners of your mind demanding to be put into practice when you’d rather save it for later. (You know, when the recipient is more deserving.)
It can also be a slick pretender. You think you have forgiven only to later realize that it has retreated and left resentment residing in its place.
So why bother at all when at times it can be so difficult to manage? Is it necessary to ALWAYS forgive? What exactly does it mean to truly forgive?
Forgiveness refuses to hang onto hurts. It lets go of our own personal view of what is fair and the obvious consequences we think specific misconduct deserves. It turns down the offer to live in regret. I love the old saying, “To forgive is to give up all hope for a better past” (anonymous).
Wow! This is key. We can’t go back and undo the past. It’s done. There’s nothing we can do to change it. But unfortunately, we allow our grief over past hurts to harm our present and future. To not forgive is to give up hope for a better today and tomorrow!
As Christians, we are called to be a people who forgive. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
One of my favorite examples that Christ gave on forgiveness is the Parable of the Prodigal Son. I think this story could also be entitled, “The Parable of the Forgiving Father.”
This father could have chosen to live in regret, choosing bitterness over money squandered and relationships denied. He could have chosen justice instead of grace and filled his days wishing for a better past. But he chose differently.
Listen to the heart of this father in Luke 15: “But while he (the son) was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” He gave him his best robe, new shoes and a party!
This dad was longing for his wayward son to come home. He was looking for him! His heart was still tender towards his child and he wasn’t afraid to show it! He ran to his son as soon as he saw him coming home. He didn’t wait for his son to say, “I’m sorry.” He made forgiveness, and thus, restoration, easier. A parent’s hope never dies.
And then they celebrated! Forgiveness gives up hopes for a better past and celebrates today the hope of tomorrow. There is hope in forgiveness. We do not have to be stuck in the pain of regret.
Lord, check my heart and point out any places where pride and resentment might be hiding. I freely exchange them for Your peace. Fill me with compassion for those who have hurt me. May Your love, not my hurt feelings, control my words and actions. Don’t let me become stuck in hopes for a better yesterday, but to be filled with hope for today and tomorrow. Forgiveness is powerful! Hope never dies. Amen
