 I recently had a conversation with a friend about forgiveness. Needless to say, it was a tough conversation.
Forgiveness is hard. It’s usually the last thing we want to do after being wronged. But God commands us to forgive others. The Bible is full of references to forgiveness. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32 ESV). “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Col. 3:13 NLT). There’s something these two verses have in common. Yes, they’re both about forgiveness. But look a little closer. Both of these verses tell us to forgive others while also reminding us of how we’ve been forgiven.  It wasn’t funny the second time.
Six weeks ago, I told you about my car overheating. Well, it happened again. I was on my way to observe a classroom for my education degree in Ravenswood. It was 7 a.m. Last time, it was daylight. This time, it was dark. Last time, I stopped at a gas station. This time, I stopped alongside US-33. Last time, I made it to my destination on time. This time, I did not. Interruptions. We don’t like them. They mess with our plans. Ruin our moods. And make us late.  That’s why I’m here. Let me explain.
At the end of my life, I don’t care if anyone knows my name. I don’t care if anyone remembers my work. I just hope people know Jesus a little bit more because of me. Love is a verb. When we love people, those people see God through our love. “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us” (1 John 4:12 NLT).  I don’t wear an eye patch. I don’t hold a hook. There’s no peg on my leg. But I’m a pirate. I search for treasure each and every day.
I look for happiness. I search for peace. I seek satisfaction. I long to find a treasure chest full of joy. You’re likely a pirate, too. So let’s dig up some treasure in God’s Word, matey. Jesus says, “‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened’” (Matt. 7:7-8 ESV). We’re all searching for treasure. But here’s the question: where are we searching?  She sat beside me on the airplane.
“Hi,” she said. “How are you?” I asked. The conversation quickly ended. It was a long flight from Dallas to Columbus. She fell asleep. I read my new book. But the silence didn’t last long. The flight attendant eventually made it to our row. He asked if we wanted anything to eat or drink. She woke up. I requested some black coffee. And a conversation began brewing. |