Forgiveness Part 3

 

"Forgiveness is not about forgetting. It is about letting go of another person's throat. Forgiveness does not create a relationship. Unless people speak the truth about what they have done and change their mind and behavior, a relationship of trust is not possible. When you forgive someone, you certainly release them from judgment, but without true change, no real relationship can be established.  Forgiveness in no way requires that you trust the one you forgive. But should they finally confess and repent, you will discover a miracle in your own heart that allows you to reach out and begin to build between you a bridge of reconciliation. Forgiveness does not excuse anything.  You may have to declare your forgiveness a hundred times the first day and the second day, but the third day will be less and each day after, until one day you will realize that you have forgiven completely. And then one day you will pray for his wholeness......”  ― William P. Young, The Shack

 

Ugh, you think, we are still talking about forgiveness?  C’mon, let’s move on to another topic, like chocolate.  Everyone loves talking about chocolate.  We are a society that loves the grudge and keeps track of all wrongs on an invisible mental scoreboard.  And we struggle with trust as people today.  Last year, 22% of citizens in our country said they trust the government to do what is right most of the time.  As a comparison, it was 77% back in 1964.  And it is not just our government.  It is all institutions ~ church, medicine, education, social organizations, and businesses.  Maybe we don’t trust because we know too much, too quickly.  We live in a world where information moves fast, but not always accurately, and once our opinion is formed, we build a wall in our mind to defend and deflect any attempt to change us.  Think about how hard forgiveness is for a person you want to forgive, now try to extend that to people whom you interact with only through social media and have never met face-to-face!  Forgiveness and trust, woven together in the garment of the clothing we are wearing collectively, are tattered and torn…and we keep ripping apart because humans are messy! 

 

Today, I invite you to ponder what it means to trust.  Or maybe you are living by the words of Abbie Hoffman, Jack Weinberg, the Beatles, who all said “Don’t trust anyone over 30” (even though you are now twice that age).  What would trust look like?  Who are you willing to trust?  Who do you struggle to trust both individually and collectively?  Let these questions stir and swirl around your heart and live this day.  Amen.