Future…
Do you know what I look forward to? I look forward to Heaven. I know, I know, there is not much about that statement that sets me apart from millions of other Christians. But here is the deal, the streets of gold, no more pain or suffering, an endless day of praising God, that is all wonderful, but not why I am making this post today. I am looking forward to heaven for the mended relationships. I can’t wait to see the people who I, quite possibly, might never truly fellowship with in this life again. The reasons for this foregoing of fellowship range from my personal frustration with how certain people have treated me or how I witnessed them treat others, as well as on their part, by them cutting ties with me due to my affiliations with people they do not agree with. Regardless I know that in heaven all of these reason will be silly and inconsequential, because once we are there the “trials of this life will be over”, including our petty differences and disputes, and I praise God for that. Once we get to heaven there will be nothing more important than, and there will be nothing to distract us from, praising our Lord. I honestly can’t wait to make new friends out of old ones. Have a blessed day.
Have you heard the joke about the rich man who wanted to take everything with him when he died? Well, he searched until he found a witch doctor who said he would help him. First he instructed the wealthy man to convert into gold all that he wanted to take with him. Then, when the man was on his death-bed, the witch doctor said some mumbo jumbo over all the gold and the dying man.
After the man died, he woke up near the Pearly Gates and sure enough there was all his gold - it had worked! The man filled a wheelbarrow with all his gold and wheeled it over to St. Peter who could hardly believe what he was seeing. As the rich man stood there, proudly, with all his shining gold, at the entrance, Peter asked him, “Where did you get all that pavement?”
Funny how what seemed so important at the time can often get lost in view of what is genuine. I appreciate your willingess to forgive and move beyond those things that have separated you from others. There are a few people that I don’t know how to forgive. I would like to and if they would only come groveling to me, I am sure I could muster up the grace from somewhere buried deep inside. Barring that scenario - I don’t know how to forgive them while they continue to despise me and wish me ill. I confess that I want them to be known by all for what they have done so that they will finally have to own up to it. I realize that doesn’t speak highly of me and I do have a mild desire to overcome this self-centered approach to forgiveness…This could take a while.
Thanks for the encouragement and the altar call.
Don Morrison
That is a two way street.
I can well-understand and relate to your struggle. At this point in my life, I believe that a certain, honest reality is that the enemy loves to try to destroy us “minister types” with several resentful, hateful “religious” people throughout the course of our lives. I know others can speak to this with even more authority than myself. Someone once said, accurately, I believe, that most churches are made of mostly good folks, several well-meaning but cranky people and a few people who belong to the evil one.
I can certainly relate to the beginning of Jesus’ parable when Peter thinks he is being generous if he forgives an individual up to 7x…and yet Jesus says, 70x(7). I believe that in our hearts and minds that we, indeed, must seek to forgive certain people over and over and over again, and this is not easy — but it is necessary, lest the bitter root accomplish what the enemy desires.
Forgiven1
Anonymous,
I agree that forgiveness goes both ways. Perhaps you are saying that I have hurt others and need to do something about it. If you are speaking of something personal that I should be aware of, please let me know.
Don Morrison
don@willischurchfamily.org
Great blog I thought ,it was very interesting.