Three Things.

God has spoken so clearly these past few days, despite slipping up and being sometimes caught up in sin, He's used the mistakes as ways to express His voice even clearer:

First, was to know that as a basis for all things, that 'He chose to save us, before we chose to believe in Him.'

Nothing that happens through our faith, is due to us. It's because of God's willingness to save, to move, to heal, to empower, to inspire, to respond, that things happen; that lives are changed.

Second, follows from that, again a humbling message that 'I can only rely on His strength, and not my own - for by myself, I am nothing.' 

Too often we try to bridge gaps, or conquer sin, or be someone through our own strength and acts. We believe that in doing quiet time and reading the Bible or going to church, that the church will then grow, or we will be rewarded. We're then destined to fail, one way or another, if we rely on our own acts.

God doesn't owe us anything.

When we actually realise that we are weak without Him, that we falter on our own, and that He is a God that never fails, that is when God moves and the things we do come to fruition. Only through His power, and relying on His strength.

Third, was that 'when we step out (in faith), He steps in'. 

So though nothing happens out of our own accord and own strength and will, when we acknowledge who's ultimately behind it all and have that sense of humility, we don't sit and passively watch and expect God to move.

We ourselves have to take the step.

So reading the Bible to someone with the mindset that "I'm gonna convert this guy", won't get you anywhere.

But reading the Bible to someone with the heart attitude that "God would you move, and use me, because nothing I do matters unless you're behind it" will move mountains. 

Regardless, they both involve an action our behalf - so we need to step out in terms of our actions, our voice, our music, art, quiet time, prayer, commitment - we need to step OUT of our comfort zone, so God can step in and meet our expectation of His power and strength.

I've been so blessed, and motivated by these things, so thanks goes to Him for this new perspective.

forgive

Forgiveness is to choose love over hate towards others.
Forgiveness is to choose love over our own pride.
Forgiveness is to choose love over resentment against another.
Forgiveness is to choose love over deep pain.
Forgiveness is to choose love over our circumstance.
Forgiveness is to choose love over being hurt - even if the other person is completely oblivious to the amount of pain another has dealt to you.
Forgiveness is to completely choose love.

After a talk with a good friend, who's been really hurting over the past few years, something in me moved. I was filled up with this passion, to really flesh out their problem.
I felt like they were either trying to be a hero, or being a coward and giving a half-hearted 'forgiveness'.
As harsh as that may sound, the concept is simple:

When there is anger or hurt between brothers in Christ, God doesn't want us to partially forgive one another. He doesn't want us to let go of some of the bitterness, but hold on to the rest; He doesn't want us to sort of accept and move on, but maybe kind of cling to the pain that was caused.
He commands us, to completely and wholly love one another:

"A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, love one another." - John 13:34

 Another verse I find incredibly powerful:

"...have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart." - 1 Peter 1:22 

They were on the verge of starting that process of forgiveness, but I felt this urgency to make sure that it wasn't the path to a half-hearted forgiveness, but forgiveness that was motivated by "sincere love for your brothers".

There comes a point, after an unknowable amount of time, where blows to your pride, emotional pain, heartbreak and hurt need to be let go of. Regardless of how much you want the offender to suffer punishment, or feel your pain, there comes a point where the demand of punishment needs to cease (or else it becomes unhealthy).

The drive behind this, for me, is that God chose to love us, despite the fact that we sinned and deserve death. That we disobeyed the one who, out of His own love and will, created us with free-will - in His image.
On top of that, some of these situations that arise, though painful, are relatively nothing compared to what occurs on elsewhere in this world.

Of course, the love that God asks for isn't some ignorant, naive, I'm-a-doormat, trample-on-me, happy-go-lucky love. Love does not always mean that you get along with people that you have disputes with.

You've got to be perceptive and see the situation as it is (which is hard when emotions and pain cloud your judgement eh)

It means that you view them as a fellow human being who makes mistakes, and that you let go of what they did to you, move on and pursuing the best possible outcome that can be reached between you and the other party. (Easier said than done, I know - more than you know)

It could mean approaching them, and making sure they know how much you were hurt - without lecturing, but still firmly letting them know (and having them acknowledge) that what they did actually had an impact upon you. It could mean slowly letting go of a sour friendship and letting time and maturity take effect.


I believe God shows us different ways to deal with each situation - there's no stock standard solution.

So, where to from here?
Choose love.