Today was a very early morning for Jennifer and I. We had an appointment downtown at the doctors’ office to attend to, and so the alarm clock was set for an usually early time. I groaned in response to the alarm as I sat up. But the morning went smoothly. . .
Once we arrived at our destination the morning talk show on CBS was on the waiting room television. This usually irritates me because the staff keeps the television on so loudly so that they can hear what is being discussed on the show. But me, sitting in the waiting room, I find it hard to read or think because the television is so loud. But not today. . . Today was different. The CBS Morning Show was going back and forth between our local Pittsburgh CBS news and weather report, and a recap of the previous day’s events. . . yes, they were talking about the Vice Presidential Debate.
The most glaring comment from the debate the the hosts offered was how civil the back and forth was when compared with the previous debate. According to the host, the debate featured little shouting and arguing but focused itself in a more traditional debate format—admittedly, I did not watch as I had another commitment to take care of last night.
As I listened, I smiled and went back to my morning devotional reading that I carry with me. With the debate, and the current state of our country in my mind, and remembering how polarized things are for us, Henri Nouwen met me with a few brief words about forgiveness. I shook my head at God thinking, ‘Well you do know how to get my attention, Lord, in a world like this.”
Henri Nouwen wrote:
"I have often said, “I forgive you,” but even as I said these words my heart remained angry or resentful. I still wanted to hear the story that I was right after all; I still wanted to hear apologies and excuses; I still wanted the satisfaction of receiving some praise in return—if only the praise for being so forgiving! But God’s forgiveness is unconditional; it comes from a heart that does not demand anything of itself, a heart that is completely empty of self-seeking."
I wonder what would happen in us, in our church, our families, and our community, if we followed Nouwen’s advice and remember all that he is saying. Forgiveness does not mean that need to remain angry or restentful when the substance of the conversation frustrates us. Forgiveness in Christ is unconditional—there are no strings attached to living this way.
We don’t have to receive affirmation about being correct in the argument because, when we follow Nouwen’s idea of forgiveness, we are more focused on restoration with Jesus than anything else. I wonder what that might look like in you today?
Blessings
Rev. Derek
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