Fields United Methodist Church

Day 50. Take Time to Be Holy

June 10, 2020

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:12

Read: Matthew 6:7-34

 Our family began camping with excitement for experiencing the great outdoors and time spent together. When the trailer was hitched to our vehicle, every mile was a struggle, every hill was dreaded. Yet when the weight of the trailer was removed, there was relief, both for the truck and for us. Resentment and hatred weighs us down like a heavy trailer being towed by an under-powered vehicle; at some point the weight and the strain is destructive to those bearing the weight. Forgiveness is God’s gift to the world; it offers all the power we need to truly let go of a crushing burden and allows us to move forward by God’s grace, at the same time offers those who have hurt us a taste of the grace and mercy of God. When Jesus hung on a cross, he looked over the crowd that was both chanting “crucify him” and weeping bitterly at his impending death saying these words, “forgive them, for they know not what they are doing,” He forgave the entire crowd as he has also forgiven you, me, and all who turn back to the one who has called each by name.  Every line of the Lord’s Prayer offers a new way to live and witness the love, grace, mercy, and power of God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is more than just words spoken, it is a witness to the power of God that can heal even the most sin-sick soul, including our own. “God sent Jesus not to condemn the world but so that the world may be saved through him.” God seeks all those consumed by violence and also those touched by a violent world to witness a more excellent way to live, full of mercy, grace, hope and joy.  There is a clear choice; we can either be weighed down with the burden of loss, pain, and hatred for another, or we can let go of all that stuff to witness the Good News of the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to a world that needs the grace, mercy and joy of Jesus to heal and begin life anew.  Forgiveness is the power of God offering another chance at the gift of life given to each of us by our loving Lord.

Is there someone you need to forgive today?

How have you taken time to be holy during this season

Prayer: Lord, sometimes it is so hard to forgive when I have been hurt so deeply. Empower me to let go of those attitudes that keep me from forgiving as you have forgiven me, witnessing your grace that has no end. Amen