Restoration or revenge? If you look at the majority of what comes across your weekend Netflix binge, your answer will be an overwhelming “Revenge”! Yet we see Jesus always challenging us to be patient; living peacefully with one another. No rocket launchers. No passive aggressive Facebook posts, no calculated political strategies to make your enemies pay (House of Cards anyone?).
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:17-18
Are you choosing peace?
I heard of a young father who was sick of shelling out cash for new toys for his four boys. He decided to engage their imaginations by giving them household items to play with. The most popular item was an empty paper towel roll. Imagination made this a sword, a microphone, and a cardboard periscope. The funny thing about looking through a empty roll is that it narrows what you see. It restricts how you view the world – great for a 4 year old but lousy in view of forgiveness. When we see life through our hurt, this is exactly what happens. Our world is blinded and we can no longer dream of what God might be doing on the fringes of our hurt. Is your HURT blinding your HEART to the work of Christ?
Don’t simply cope. Don’t simply say “I forgive you”. But have the courage to put the paper towel roll down and start the process of restoration.
Matt simon blog 