Day 5 | Colossians 3:12-17
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. Colossians 3:12-17 (MSG)
For Reflection:
God’s outfit for us, comprised of compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline and most importantly love, is truly ideal. Clothed in this wardrobe, we can be even-tempered, extend forgiveness and develop a lifestyle of gratitude. If I’m honest though, sometimes forgiveness feels just out of reach so I attempt to ignore or minimize the need for it. It rubs up against a vulnerable place I want to protect. So perhaps it almost feels safer to not forgive and just live with the weight of it. Hmm… and yet, Jesus tells us and Paul reminds us of the work of forgiving. What is the cost of unforgiveness? One word surfaces for me, unrest.
When I carry the unrest of unforgiveness, I maintain distance from God’s peace. As I dwell on this offense, rehashing it over and over it consumes all my thoughts. From this place, I certainly can’t “sing sing sing my heart out to God” as scripture suggests. Unforgiveness drives a wedge, perhaps disguised as protection, between God and me. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:14-15: “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.”
Nevertheless, in my mind, I begin to protest. But God, this person doesn’t deserve my forgiveness. Have you ever felt this way too? It’s as though there is justifiable anger that gives us the right to harbor these feelings, right? Somehow, the feeling of being right offers a slight measure of comfort for the hurt. But that doesn’t last long. All too soon I find myself stoking this fire by replaying the wrong, hoping one painful feeling will soothe another. And maybe what I really need to focus on is connection with God, which feels like peace. What if forgiveness is the pathway back to the peace of God?
Forgiveness is not forgetting, dismissing or even rushing the process of healing. Perhaps it is just the first step towards healing… As I loosen my grip on this pain, I can open my hands and ask God to meet me in this uncomfortable place, to see my hurt, and walk with me through each step which can deepen my experience of trust in God… if I let it. Depending on the gravity of the wound, forgiveness can take time, and it always includes actually feeling the feelings. Being present to them with Jesus near. Jesus promises to be with us. We can welcome Him in or push Him away, yet His promises remain.
If anything is coming to the surface for you with the topic of forgiveness, make some space today to sit with God and allow Him to show you the way back to His peace.
Let us Pray:
God, thank You for your wardrobe of compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline and most importantly love. Please give us your wisdom to keep in step with You and attend to anything that pulls out of sync with you. Let us be aware of your presence amid the fullness of life and strengthen us for the journey ahead. Thank you for first loving us and most importantly, continuing to love us each and every day! In Jesus Name, AMEN.
Questions:
I wonder what I am afraid will happen if I forgive? I wonder if peace is waiting for me on the other side of forgiveness?