Cracked
I took the van over to the glass shop this morning for a windshield replacement. A stone chip had spread out in several directions leaving large cracks in its wake. I thought about that cracked windshield as I walked home from the shop.
It reminded me of the lives of many people. They take a blow in the form of trauma, rejection or any of life's many trials. If the "chip in their windshield" (so to speak) isn't tended to soon, their lives begin to crack and can eventually fall apart.
One of the biggest unfixed chips comes in the form of holding on to woundedness and unforgiveness. It soon turns to deeper anger and bitterness and not only cracks the person but spreads to the lives of those around them causing untold devastation.
Bitterness is not only an emotion; it is a debilitating spiritual root that can bring many more destructive influences in with it. Bitterness destroys friendships, marriages and families. It can lead to loss of employment, addictions and a plethora of self destructive behaviors.
We need to head of bitterness by making the choice to forgive. Forgiveness is not about whether or not someone deserves forgiveness. Christ forgives you and me and we certainly don't deserve it.
Forgiveness is about obedience to Christ and strong mental and spiritual health. When we choose not to forgive we give the enemy legal ground to work in our life. That's never a good thing.
Colossians 3:12-17 NIV
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. For the sake of our impact on others, our own witness and our own well being we must learn to bear with one another, be slow to take offense and quick to forgive.
We all know that. What I have said is nothing new, it has been the teaching of the church for years. Yet, even though we know it we are quite often the exact opposite. We are easily offended and niggardly with our forgiveness. Niggardly is a ten dollar word that I don't often get to use in a sentence, it means... reluctant to give; stingy; miserly.
The reality is that we are quick to want to be forgiven but really tight about giving it to others. That is an attitude that we must change in our lives.
Until next time may you get the chips fixed before they crack you up.
Kevin
I took the van over to the glass shop this morning for a windshield replacement. A stone chip had spread out in several directions leaving large cracks in its wake. I thought about that cracked windshield as I walked home from the shop.
It reminded me of the lives of many people. They take a blow in the form of trauma, rejection or any of life's many trials. If the "chip in their windshield" (so to speak) isn't tended to soon, their lives begin to crack and can eventually fall apart.
One of the biggest unfixed chips comes in the form of holding on to woundedness and unforgiveness. It soon turns to deeper anger and bitterness and not only cracks the person but spreads to the lives of those around them causing untold devastation.
Bitterness is not only an emotion; it is a debilitating spiritual root that can bring many more destructive influences in with it. Bitterness destroys friendships, marriages and families. It can lead to loss of employment, addictions and a plethora of self destructive behaviors.
We need to head of bitterness by making the choice to forgive. Forgiveness is not about whether or not someone deserves forgiveness. Christ forgives you and me and we certainly don't deserve it.
Forgiveness is about obedience to Christ and strong mental and spiritual health. When we choose not to forgive we give the enemy legal ground to work in our life. That's never a good thing.
Colossians 3:12-17 NIV
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. For the sake of our impact on others, our own witness and our own well being we must learn to bear with one another, be slow to take offense and quick to forgive.
We all know that. What I have said is nothing new, it has been the teaching of the church for years. Yet, even though we know it we are quite often the exact opposite. We are easily offended and niggardly with our forgiveness. Niggardly is a ten dollar word that I don't often get to use in a sentence, it means... reluctant to give; stingy; miserly.
The reality is that we are quick to want to be forgiven but really tight about giving it to others. That is an attitude that we must change in our lives.
Until next time may you get the chips fixed before they crack you up.
Kevin
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