January 8, 2021
As we were discussing the activities in our country this week, I had someone ask me an interesting question - what are your thoughts on how the country can bring about forgiveness, especially in light of those who say they will NEVER forgive?
My first thought was wondering if there is something to learn from the aftermath of the horrific division in our country following the Civil War. How did the country heal and reunite? Then, I wondered, how can each individual move forward in forgiving harms done to them or to those they support? Can we get to a place of acceptance of the other?
But as I think more about this conversation, I wonder what role forgiveness will play in moving forward. Is it essential? What happens if there is no forgiveness between parties or between those on opposing sides? Will we be spinning our wheels a year from now, still embroiled in racism, sexism, power-ism, and all the other “isms” that divide us? What role will our nation’s leadership take? How, and will we, learn from them?
Sometimes it feels that the tenants of the Christian faith (grace, love, mercy, forgiveness, understanding, tolerance) seem weak. Sometimes they seem insufficient. Sometimes it seems we need to do more, stand up and speak out. But what can I do?! Then I remember whose people we are, whose country are we, whose world we are, whose creation we are - God’s! And God has not abandoned us, nor ever will!
Bottomline - where does the hatred stop? With love. And who teaches us how to love? God!
Blessings. And prayers.
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