It's a Numbers Game
Happy New Year, everybody! I haven't been around blog-land in over a week. I spent some time away from the computer as I shared the holidays with my family. It was a nice break, and I think I'm once again ready to share with a less muddled mind!
I must start the New Year with a confession. I almost ended the year on a very bad note. See, for the past several weeks I've been harboring some things against someone. Some things real, some things imagined. And it was making me miserable. Grudges have a way of doing that.
On Sunday morning my grandpa preached a profound message about the things we are to remember as we went into the New Year. Of course, it's what we are to remember everyday, the Message of Christ. But the thing that kept pricking my conscience was how we are to remember the message of Christ's love. See, Christ's love didn't hold grudges. He didn't say, "Well, I'll forgive everybody else, but that guy that nailed me to the cross can forget it." He didn't say, "Those Pharisees that started a conspiracy against me better not even think of coming to me for forgiveness."
No, He said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
That "them" included each and every one of us. And He did that because He loved us. By the end of the sermon I couldn't hold back. I had to get to the alter and confess my bitter attitude to the Lord. Then I had to make things right with a few people and offer up a few apologies.
Did my apology change that person? No, but regardless of what that person has done in the past or may do in the future, I'm going to show Christ's love. Because Christ's love isn't conditional, and Christ's love has no limit to it's forgiving power.
So, though the last few weeks of 2006 were not my brightest moments, I've handed everything over to Christ, and 2007 started out on a bright note. This verse from Psalm 90:12 is one that I'm going to keep in my heart this year, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
None of us knows the number of our days. Only God does. So, I want to try to spend me days focusing on God's wisdom rather than the petty issues of this world!
How about you?
posted by Heather Smith @ Tuesday, January 02, 2007
5 Comments:
happy New Year Heather! Thanks for sharing, it was what I needed to read this morning!
what a great post!!!!
You always inspire and bless me. I too have to ask God to forgive me for feelings against some that have not been exactly as Christ would have me feel. Satan is powerful and tries to bring discord into our lives, but God is more powerful and with his help, we can love and forgive. Thanks Heather and Happy New Year. My thoughs for 2007 is " I Will Go On". No matter what anyone else does, I will go on for Christ and his glory.
Forgiving (especially those who have hurt you) is the hardest thing (aside from controlling our tongues!) But God is good and He helps. I try to pray hard, just force myself to pray for those I have a hard time forgiving. God bless!
We could all learn from this!
Thanks for sharing.
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