“Forgive us our debts as we forgive those that have trespassed against us
Let it go
To let it flow
Live to love
I will repay says the Lord””
It is truly insane how reserved we can get based on the grudges we hold against others. What does a life lived without restraints on love look like? Forgiveness is a process, so when we live in a state of letting go and letting love flow, I think this is where we begin living to love and living in love.
Meditate on ''forgiveness" today. Live in the reality that forgiveness is an exchange, a constant give and take, whether it be offering patience to an impatient person or loving a person that is difficult to love. Even in the moment, strive to let go of distasteful first or even second impressions. I truly believe you will begin feeling less burdened when we see living in forgiveness as a moment to moment process in our lives. Letting go does not look like avoiding that person. Letting go of bad impressions looks like intentionally engaging and choosing to not judge that person. Let go of past stories, the bad taste that person might have left in your mouth.
I am striving to do the same to live this out. It is exponentially difficult when you feel misunderstood or judged. Unfortunately, genuine love and thoughtful care can not naturally flow out of a person that is consumed with biases and ulterior motives. If there is a part of you that wished that you could have been treated better by certain people, then be the change you want to see with that person and with the people around you.
Let's strive to be the light that guides and does not blind. Many times, we use our identity as a Christian to either swing the pendulum of grace to far to the right or left. We are called to be light, not a muffled spark that blows out by any slight wind of conflicted interests. We are not called to be light that blinds people with rigid rules that suffocate any fresh breath of grace. Be the light that warms and brings comfort but also guides people back home.
Shine bright to help people out of their darkness; shine with grace to not blind.
Be light by showing others what "different" really looks like. Let's have the world know us by our capacity and quality in the way we love.
TAKE AWAY:
1) God calls us to guide and not blind others with our light.
2) Begin by guiding others by simply being a conduit of love. Let go of any judgments or presuppositions.
MEDITATION:
“34-35 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”
DAILY CHALLENGE:
1) Think of the people that you have built walls against or have old stories that you play in your mind. How could you let go of these stories?
2) How can you engage with people in a way that positions you to be a light that guides them in their journey?
3) What are ways to find a better balance of being guiding light rather than blinding light?