Tuesday, March 31, 2015
A Forgiveness Reflection from Chuck Shantz
Forgive?! Forgive?! Why
should I forgive someone who insulted me? Somebody who took unfair advantage of
me? Or anybody who treated me badly? I’m sure not going to say I’m sorry!
Forgive . . . Do you really
hear these words or have they been spoken so many times that you gloss over
them and can’t wait until the service is over . . . you have so many things to
do.
What words am I speaking
about? Why, they are the words that Jesus spoke -- “Your sins are forgiven!”
Forgiveness . . . is it that
important?
Let me read you a poem I
wrote about hearing those words. It is dedicated to Ted, the child I once was
Forgiveness!
There was a time so long ago
my life was in great pain.
My days were filled with
bitterness, the tears I wept in vain.
But then one day I sat alone
and shivered in the cold.
The ground was white and
frozen fast and wrapped in winter’s fold.
Yet, suddenly it came to me
that I was not alone!
The snow seemed whiter in the
night as if a light had shone!
You must forgive if you’re to
know the peace for which you seek.
I knew that I must then
forgive to end my days so bleak.
“I willingly forgive,” I
said, “for all the things you’ve done.”
Then suddenly, I felt at
ease; my new life had begun!
His are the words our pastors
say, the ones we all should know.
“Your sins are now forgiven
you; arise, my child, and go.”
So when you hear those words
again, take heart this very day.
He gave His life so you would
know His peace in what they say!
Oh, Lord
Let
me and everyone who hears the pastors say “Your sins are forgiven!” remember
that the pastors are speaking the words that You spoke. And let us forgive
others as you have forgiven us!
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