Let it Go

If the Son of God can go through what he went through prior to the cross and on the cross. Forgiving a bunch of sinners simply because he loves us. Can't we also forgive  and offer a sacrifice of self. Putting our needs aside and desiring instead the unity that Christ asks us as his children to have toward each other? I want to encourage us this Holy week to humble ourselves and go and make peace. Forgiving others as Christ has forgiven us. 

The Tin Man

Do you recall in the movie The wizard of Oz when they came upon the tin Man? His first words that he tried to utter were, "oil can". He had rusted up as he was working and a rainstorm moved in. Frozen in mid swing he stayed like that until some kind people came across and offered assistance.

Have you ever felt like you needed an anointing from God because some situation had Frozen you. Whether you feel unjustly treated, confused, frightened, perturbed... You feel Frozen physically but your mind is running in high gear struggling to make sense of it all and trying to manage all the emotions that are stirred up. 

I've had such a situation and I do feel physically Frozen. I've been unable to sleep because my mind won't stop. My emotions are hurt. I felt left in the dark and when I expressed my feelings I received a little reprimand. There's nothing worse than feeling unjustly treated and then dealing with a troubled mind. 

When a disturbance is caused in our peace, as a Christian we struggle because our natural instinct is to defend ourself. However, the Holy Spirit constantly prods us to forgive the offense, to be kind and compassionate to the offender. Even though we want to do the right thing, our mind has to go through a process of giving up the struggle for what we feel Justice would be and simply surrender and let it go. 

There is nothing more painful in life than to feel rejected or unjustly treated. It hurts and those feelings roll around causing a clenched jaw, sleepless nights, tears and pleas for peace. We become Frozen in that state until someone kind comes along and offers to oil us with compassion. But the final unfreezing comes through the anointing oil of the Holy Spirit. That is a penetrating oil that finds its way right to the heart. After our exhausting battle in the mind of what is fair and what is not, the Holy Spirit if we allow, will anoint us with the truth. The truth that though we were yet sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) and we are to show the same Mercy to others that Christ showed to us (Matt 18:33, James 2:13-18).

Everything in us wants to scream, "But that's not fair!" Was it fair that Christ went to the cross for us and bore our sins upon his innocent body? We are called to set down our selfish pride and allow the Holy Spirit to soften us and build the character of Christ in us. Until we do that we will be frozen on the outside but tumultuous on the inside. Once we surrender our pride and take on the humility of Christ then peace will flood our mind and our hearts will be transformed. Our jaw will unclench, we will sleep sweet and our mind will have peace and rest. Forgiveness will have done its work of setting everyone in the situation free and to be able to move on in peace and joy. 

Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13b)

Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)

Forgive, just as you have been forgiven.(Ephesians 4:32)

In closing, we have to take into consideration how our emotions can get the best of us and overreact. Most times it's not an offense it's just humans being humans. And we must always remember to turn the mirror upon ourselves to make sure that our own hearts are right. 

Shalom Shalom 

Forgive and you will be forgiven. (Matt 6:14-15)