1 Timothy 4:7-10, The Message - Exercise daily in
God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but
a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and
forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown
ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior
of all men and women, especially believers.
I have mentioned in these devotions
on forgiveness that I believe forgiveness should be known as one of the classical
spiritual disciplines – the practices that we work at continuously to, over
time, strengthen our spirit and faith.
Though forgiveness is not seen in any of the lists I’ve seen, I believe
it should be. Here’s my case.
First, human
relationships are chronically imperfect.
Even in the best relationships, mistakes can happen. It is probable that, at any given time, we
are either in need of someone else’s forgiveness or we are needing to forgive
someone who has hurt us in some way.
Just as prayer (communication w/ God) is oxygen for a relationship with
God to be maintained and grow, forgiveness is the salve that allows
relationships to sustain the bumps and setbacks that invariably occur between
humans. Embracing forgiveness as something
to be practiced continuously improves our emotional intelligence and relational
toolbox.
In addition,
you practice skills that you want to improve.
Lebron James has mastered his sport through grueling practice and repetition.
The famous art that you see in museums were not the first paintings done by the
now-renowned artists. They often
painted/practiced for decades before producing the masterpieces we now
celebrate. Most babies crawl before they
walk. If makes sense that if we are awkward
at the art of forgiving, practicing it regularly would increase our forgiveness
skill.
In all
the spiritual disciplines I practice on a regular basis, all were awkward, if
not downright difficult when I first tried them. My first attempts at prayer were so unfocused
and preoccupied with unimportant things.
My first attempts at meditation were laughable. My mind would wander after only about ten
seconds. My first fast was over almost
as soon as it started. After years of
regularly practicing these disciplines, they all now feel more natural and they
yield much better results. Regularly
working at forgiveness brings the same kind of proficiency. I think of the author and professor Everett
Worthington. He taught, studied, and
practiced forgiveness for years before his mother was brutally assaulted and murdered
during a home invasion. It took a long
time, but he was able to forgive the attacker and he attributes the possibility
of forgiving such a heinous offense to his years of teaching and working at
forgiveness before the tragedy occurred.
Finally,
to become a more competent forgiver brings the possibility of more sustained spiritual
health. Just as a strong heart muscle,
born of regular cardiovascular exercise, sustains our physical health and
protects us from potential health risks, practicing forgiveness regularly in
the smaller matters of life, increases our ability to forgive “bigger” offenses
when the opportunity comes. Instead of
being spiritually crippled by the blindside of another, we are able to deal
with the setback more skillfully and fruitfully. Forgiveness is more helpful to us as a
discipline than a once-in-a-while-when-we-need-it activity.
Question: Are you
better able to forgive now than you were when you first became a Christian? Why or why not?
Prayer: God, it seems
that humanity would keep you busy with having to forgive the seemingly infinite
mistakes we commit against You. Yet, You
keep forgiving flawlessly every time it is necessary. Help us develop that capacity as well as we seek
to reflect Your image. Amen.
Prayer Focus: Pray
for people who live with chronic pain today.
Song: This song doesn’t
specifically talk about forgiveness, but it does talk about the value of repetitive
experiences strengthening us.
You Learn – Alanis Morrisette
