Forgiveness in the shadow of the Cross

 

Gratitude Year 10 - Day 64: Today, I am grateful for forgiveness in the shadow of the cross.

Forgiveness is hard for humans. Family wars and feuds can be passed down from one generation to the next. There comes a day no one remembers the source of the original conflict, but bitterness fed and multiplied grows wild and ugly.

One of my favorite definitions of unforgiveness is: " Giving someone else free rent in your head." The one who carries the anger and hurt suffers far more than the person they find difficult to forgive. It is wasted energy and delays healing.

One of the great joys of getting older is that the "forgetting" part of forgiveness gets easier. Just this week, I couldn't find my car at Wal-Mart and had to use that fun little "car finder" feature on my key. We can't be upset about the things we can't remember. What seems huge today is not that important in a week or two. What is always important are relationships.

It is good to be reminded that we are all undeserving, wrecked souls living in the shadow of the cross. This quote resonates with my soul today. The season we know as Lent has begun. It is a good time to reflect on Christ's suffering, sacrifice the sufficiency of His grace to make us clean again.

"In the shadow of my hurt, forgiveness feels like a decision to reward my enemy. But in the shadow of the cross, forgiveness is merely a gift from one undeserving soul to another. " -Andy Stanley

"One undeserving soul to another." That's me! Undeserving, imperfect and easily distracted by unimportant things.

In some sports, bowling and golf for instance, there are handicaps to level the playing field for players with different skill levels. We have a God who knows our strengths and our weaknesses. The work completed on the cross... Jesus was the great equalizer.

 "then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus," -Hebrews 10:17-19

The Blood of the Lamb covered our sins. Forgiveness is available for the asking. We are joint heirs in the Kingdom. The blood will never lose its power.

Today, I am grateful for forgiveness in the shadow of the cross.