Every so often God gives us a gift that only we can truly comprehend the significance of.
Like many others, my past is full of shattered dreams and hurts. As believers in Jesus, we are told that we will receive "double for our trouble":
"Instead of your former shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach your people shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double what they had forfeited; everlasting joy shall be theirs. ~Isaiah 61:7
rec·om·pense
noun
compensation, as for an injury, wrong, etc.: to make recompense for the loss one's carelessness has caused.
It has been utterly beautiful to see God take something ugly and horrible and bring something wonderful from it. He has indeed repaid me more than double -- and really, did he have to repay me at all?!?!
I recently had the opportunity to show love to the person who has been "responsible" in my eyes for much of the hurt in my life. To be able to forgive, and not forget, but to reach out to this person and truly express love....no words. It wasn't saying, "I love you." It was saying, "Yes, you did wrong, but you also did some things right." It was saying, "God loves you, even though..." It was verbally taking them by the hand and leading them back down the path to love and light.
Me, doing this? It seems unthinkable and unlikely that it ever would have happened. But, God.
I am convinced that we are charged with the mission of being light-bearers. Once we have been brought into the light, having been shown forgiveness and love, we must show others the way as well.
Jesus makes his mission known in Luke 4 when he quotes Isaiah 61:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
When we forgive and choose to love (love as a verb) someone, don't we do these things? We "preach good news". We "set the prisoners free". We "release the oppressed" and "recover sight for the blind". Not only do we set the other person free, we are set free as well.
How exciting this is to think about. These opportunities sound romantic and wonderful but walking them out is quite difficult. "Loving" my neighbors who are mean to guests who come to my home. "Loving" one of Faith's classmates and their parent when said classmate is making my daughter cry at school.
I take comfort in that God meets us in these things and even goes before us. Forgiveness, as I have heard it said, is not actually for the other person -- it is for ourselves, our peace of mind and joy of heart.
