A Long Road to Freedom - Lent 2020
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Matthew 6:12
I recently heard the story of Tim, a Cree man from northern Canada, and was moved to share it. Tim experienced abuse from a representative of a church. He was a young, innocent, and trusting boy. The person who abused him was someone he trusted and should have been able to trust. But he was deceived. This really confused him, and the sexual abuse left a huge scar on his entire being. He began to hate the church and himself. He didn’t want to live anymore.
Through an amazing story of grace, Tim found help when a friend convinced him to see a counselor. You see, years later as an adult, he was still living with the impact of the abuse. His life was a mess. But through this counselor, who was also a follower of Jesus, Tim began to get his life back.
In our ministry, my wife, Linda, and I know healing from the scars of any abuse can take years. Tim had to learn the meaning of forgiveness before he could let go of his own, unfounded guilt. But what has moved me deeply is how Tim eventually wanted to forgive his abuser. Through quite a lengthy process, and with the help of several other counselors, Tim was able to set up a meeting to offer forgiveness to his offender. It was incredible for Tim. This final step gave him the freedom he had longed to have for so long. The bitterness was gone, and he could now live life to the full and with his whole heart.
When Jesus was hanging on the cross, he spoke out these words, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Jesus also taught us to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (Matthew 6:12) And in Matthew 6:15, Jesus makes us think hard about why we think we should be forgiven if we do not forgive others.
During Lent, I am challenging your heart regarding forgiveness. Are you holding on to any unforgiveness? And if there is, are we willing to do the hard work of dealing with it and working through it? Tim was willing, and the freedom he found was incredible. Our journey may be different than Tim’s, but God asks us all to follow His way. Let Tim’s story encourage you, and let the words and life of Jesus both guide you and inspire you to an abundantly full life!
Dear Lord, I know you have asked me to forgive. And you have demonstrated how to do this by dying for us and forgiving us our sins even when you did no wrong. Lord, please guide me and help me to do the same. Show me the way, Lord, the way to freedom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.