Luke 23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they divided His clothes and cast lots.

A funny thing happened as I typed “forgive” in my free photo library provided by WordPress.  The featured image was displayed and not only that but it was the ONLY image available.  I then typed the word, “forgiveness” and to my surprise, the same picture was the only one shown.  Smiling to myself, I then selected it as my featured image.  Now, I was looking for a picture that spells forgiveness or even a picture of a person showing forgiveness.  WordPress showed me that the ONLY true forgiveness is that of Jesus which brings me to my title, “iChoose to Forgive!”

In light of election day, I started to ponder on the importance of my vote, my decision and the power behind it.  It dawned on me that my vote is just that, a decision.  Even my not voting is a decision and I can’t rightfully fuss about politics after choosing not to exercise my free will to vote.  Then, it hit me.  I am unable to rightfully complain about certain happenings in my life if I have voluntarily chosen to let it happen.  What sense does it make to complain about what the enemy is doing if I am choosing to not do what God instructs me to do?  I am basically helping satan do his job.  That revelation hit me like a ton of bricks.  Here I am naturally casting my vote, yet forfeiting my right to decide in my own life.  Prayer without works is dead, right?  So, praying without actively working towards my prayers is praying amiss.  Just to be more transparent, I have been praying for reconciliation regarding my family.   After the passing of my parents, my family has been divided.  There were things done and said that hurt me.  In my hurt, I declared to have nothing to do with certain people.  It escalated to the point where I would fly home and intentionally avoid seeing them.  Yes, it was that bad.  Here I am talking about the love of Jesus and harboring unforgiveness.  Moreover, there were days I would be angry and could not pinpoint why.  Frustrated, I ask God why am I randomly angry and He responds, “unforgiveness.”  Over the course of the year, I have allowed unforgiveness to set up camp in my heart.  With unforgiveness planted, it produced bitterness, ungodly anger, and strife that aren’t characteristics of the loving God I proclaim to serve.  All of my posts even led to this moment.  My inconsistency with writing stemmed from unforgiveness because God couldn’t allow me to consistently write for Him without surrendering to Him.  In other words, I cannot be consistent in other areas of my life if I am not consistent with my relationship with God.

Ultimately, that is what it boils down to believe it or not.  Unforgiveness has less to do with the people and more to do with our relationship with God.  “If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” remember?  What are His Commandments? They are found in Exodus 20 and one is loving your neighbor as yourself.  Who is our neighbor?  EVERYONE is to be considered our neighbor, not just the people who are neighborly.  For even more clarification, the Bible speaks of doing good to our enemies by praying for them, giving when they are in need, and blessing them when they curse us (Matt. 5:44-45).  Giving when they are in need also speaks to praying as well.  Giving yourself in prayer to God and not just giving them a coat in the cold.  Stephen gave himself to prayer while being stoned and so did Jesus as you see the picture featured of Him being hung on the Cross. Some of you may be saying, yes I know that is in the Bible, but it is hard to do.  Yes, it is but let me tell you what is harder.  Dying with unforgiveness in your heart is harder because that is a conversation you do not want to have with God.  As much as He forgives us and to narrow it down, you, there is no legit excuse not to forgive others.  Everything God tells us to do is hard in our flesh, so we really cannot use that as an excuse to not do it.  Don’t let satan deceive you.  That is why His Spirit has come to comfort us when we are hurt and enables us to carry out the will of our Father.  The Bible also speaks about those who are not merciful shall not obtain mercy which is found in James 2:13.  Truthfully, we can’t talk about the mercy of God when we fail to open our hearts to be merciful towards people who have wronged us.

Also, forgiving enables us to walk in Freedom.  Although you may not want to admit it, unforgiveness is a HEAVY burden to carry.  Sure, your pride may fool you into thinking you’re just fine, but what is the truth?  What does God say?  Unforgiveness does not mean we have to push a relationship with people.  It does allow them to know that you are not closed off with them and that the lines of communication and reconciliation are available.  To do this is to acknowledge it has nothing to do with US!  Think about it like this.  To deny ourselves is to look more like Jesus.  To look more like Jesus will cause men to see Him.  Everyone will not see Jesus in the four walls of the church.  There will be some who will only see Him through THE church which is you, me, and all believers scattered across the globe.  Jesus said if I am lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.  Change your perspective and stop making it about you.  This is a grand opportunity for someone to see Jesus.  Our forgiving is beyond us and all about showing His Love. When they know they have done you wrong and you decide to forgive, it will make them reflect and possibly ask you why are you so forgiving?  Then there is your opportunity to say because Jesus forgives.  Declare today to surrender to the will of God and choose to forgive.  Be real with Him and let Him know that this is hard, but living with unforgiveness is harder.  Yes, Lord, I am hurt, but You hurt more than I and You still choose to forgive me. So I ask for that Love to enter my heart and let it exude in my life by choosing to forgive _______________ that hurt me.  Help me to show mercy as You have shown me mercy, In Jesus Name, Amen!

Alright, guys be sure to scurry over to the Tag You’re It! tab to make this post active in your life.  For additional prayer click on the Prayers/Testimonials tab and I will be happy to pray with you and you can also recite the prayer given.  Until next time, PEACE!  #iChooseToForgive  #VoteFreedom #VoteLove #VoteForgiveness