Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Col 3:15 (MSG)
Someone Please Forgive – Parables Series 3 – Part 8
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7
(OR go to Parable Series 1 or Parable Series 2)
Over the past few days, we’ve looked at two parables. Take a few moments to read through any you may have missed or reflect over the things that they brought to light in your life.
For the first half of the series we looked at The Parable of the Unjust Servant.
If you find yourself in a place where you owe someone something you cannot repay, or perhaps you are owed a debt that you think cannot ever be repaid (whether it be material, emotional or spiritual), I pray that mercy will lead and guide your interactions with those who are involved.
Mercy is different than trust. Just because you forgive someone a debt, or are forgiven a debt, does not mean that trust has been restored. (I'm pretty sure that the king in the parable of the unjust servant didn't lend the servant another 2.5 billion dollars). It is not saying that what has happened to you, or what you did to someone, doesn’t matter anymore. Forgiveness is the act of relinquishing the power of the destructive nature of offence, bitterness, and anger and choosing not to be ruled by what has happened to you. It’s a heart choice, and one that always leads to healing.
When we talk about forgiveness, it's easy for us to think of the people we need to forgive – to be reminded of those who have hurt and wronged us. What's more difficult to think about are the people we have wronged; the ones who we need forgiveness from. It’s one thing to show someone mercy; it's another to receive it. We pray that whatever position you are in, that gratitude and thankfulness complete mercies work within you.
With the last half of the series, we studied The Parable of the Mustard Seed.
I wonder what seeds lie within you?
I wonder if you’ve shelved any… if fear has kept you from planting your gifts and talents; from doing the work of your passions, and for waiting with bated breath as the mystery of faith takes our tiny seeds and grows them into something miraculous. As with The Parable of the Unjust Servant and mercy, gratitude helps us plant those seeds in the ground.
Be thankful for what you have, and be thankful for who are. Even in the smallest, tiniest, dullest looking seeds, lie the potential of growth, maturity, belonging, community and love. A most wondrous beauty.
As always, please email us to talktous@pktfuel.com your thoughts, comments, stories and testimonies. Let’s keep the conversations going.
Grace and peace,
Lizzy and Jesse.
Go to Parable Series 4 »
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