Over the past many years of writing these articles, not once have I ever penned one while I was upset; until now. Quick overview, we have a company that provides us a service and, over the past week and a half, we have left numerous messages for them to provide said service as per the agreement. After about the sixth message, I left a voice mail basically saying that I did not appreciate begging for service and asked if I should seek an alternative provider. Are you waiting for the rant? Do you want to know the provider or the service they offer? Well, don’t hold your breath because the information is not relevant to this article. I finally got a call back and my contact was very apologetic and wanted to make it right. What would you do? I know what I would have done back in the day as a business leader, but life is different now. It may seem easier to slam the door and move on to find a new provider, I could bad mouth the company and rally others to boycott their service, and don’t think that didn’t cross my mind, I am only human after all. It is so difficult to turn the other cheek when you realize that you may get slapped again. Human behaviour suggests that we lash out in return, exchanging slap for slap but what does this accomplish? No one that I know of has ever found a peaceful solution to a problem by matching a slap for a slap.
Jesus told us that when we pray, let us remember to forgive
as we have been forgiven (see Matt 6:12). If we were to treat others the way we
are being treated, the road could go two ways. If we pay back bad for bad, is
there a chance of closure or healing? If we pay back kindness for kindness,
what is the by-product of that? If we pay back kindness where others are
expecting negative retaliation, what is the message there? Jesus was brought to
trial for crimes He did not commit. The hatred the religious leaders had for
Him was unwarranted and the punishment leading up to His death was not right.
Truth be told, when the religious leaders attacked and persecuted the Son of
God, they were violating God’s law, love the Lord your God with your entire
being. It would have been fully understood if Jesus called down the legions of
angels to strike down the oppressors for the injuries they instigated on the
Messiah. They demanded their brand of justice and, when given the opportunity
to have God released, they voted to have a known criminal released. Jesus
suffered and died on the cross paying back pure love and forgiveness in the
face of persecution and sin. In the end, Jesus called out to the Father in
Heaven “Forgive them for they know not what they do”. As of ten minutes ago,
the provider made good on the promise to provide their service and, as far as I
am concerned, the matter is forgiven and forgotten. Some may say this is
enabling them to do it again, yet I say we will remain vigilant but forgiving.
How many times?
Then Peter came up and said to
him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?
As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven
times, but seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21, 22.
I can only hope that others will do the same for me. This
Sunday, we celebrate a risen Lord, a living Saviour. We invite you to join us
this Sunday either in person or watch online at 10:30 AM.
Facebook Live - Main AveFellowship
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We look forward to seeing you
this Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Todd
www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com
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