Forgiveness: My Lifeguard Retreat

Growing up I did the unthinkable. Not 10 seconds after I did it, did I wish it could be undone.

As a teenager I was a lifeguard during the summers. Not a bad gig, but one year, I forgot to renew my Life guard and CPR certifications in a timely fashion. So to get it done in time I had to pay to go to an overnight "retreat" where you could get all the hours you needed in two days instead of 2 weeks (I can't remember how long it was supposed to take exactly, all I know is it was too long!)

I really thought my procrastination had brought me to brilliance, time saved! I was a swimmer, this would be no problem. I could rock this and be the top of the class! Well, it wasn't my ability that was the problem, it was my "uniform." I was a swimmer after all. In the 90's we didn't have the modest bicycle short suits of today...nope...my uniform was a Speedo. You know the one I am talking about...the ones that make you cringe! Yep, I wore that. I mean, why not? All my friends wore this every day. No problem, it was part of the gig...Well NOT at "Lifeguard Retreat!" (sounds like a bad 80's title doesn't it)

The moment I walked out in it, i wish I could undo it. Man, 3 guys would become my Mortal Enemies for the weekend. They wouldn't stop. I thought beating them in a competition would work, Nope. I changed into a "normal suit" for the rest of the weekend, Nope. I even tried ignoring them, Nope. They were out for blood, and it was my self-esteem. After the closing ceremony where your parents came to pick you up I went back to the cabinet find all of my stuff scattered all over the cabin and campgrounds...Not my most exciting moment in life. It hurt. 

Today I was reading Matthew 18:21-35. Jesus tells the story of the man forgiven MUCH and yet how he was unwilling to give forgiveness, for what in comparison to the debt he owed, was very minor. His unwillingness to forgive the one indebted to him resulted in the King's punishment. 

The warning is clear v.35 - So my heavenly Father will do to everyone of you, if you do not forgive your brother FROM YOUR HEART.

Jesus makes it clear, if we belong to God, we are called to live out lives that bring Him glory. How can we do this? Love Generously, Show Mercy, and Forgive Quickly. 

I read this and for the first time in decades I thought about that weekend retreat. Those guys were not my friends that weekend, but in the big scheme of things their actions don't even make the radar of my life and surely their actions don't warrant me holding onto un-forgiveness that is an offense to my Lord.  For the record...forgiven ;) I know as adults you and I can name 100 harder instances of offense than this, but the truth is still the same. 

I think it's time take our eyes off the offenses that others bring to our table and keep our eyes open to the mercy that God show us daily. No one has ever been won over by hate, piercing glares, the cold shoulder, stealthy FB posts, anger or harsh words. In fact, that's not even our goal! Hum, if it is, we'd all be toast. 

So stop trying to forgive, by helping the other person react in a way that confirms your forgiveness "Worked." Just forgive. Our audience is the King! The relationship that we are guarding the most is with the Lord. Let your forgiveness come from the heart that has been healed by the blood of your Savior. God may change the heart of the brother you forgive...and He may not. That's His call, not ours. In forgiveness, you'll be set free! 

Focus on the 40!

I heard someone ask the other day,

"How do you decide if a group photo is good?"

"Who do you look for first?"

Funny thing is... I knew my answer! If everyone in the picture looks great, but I look like a goober...I don't think it is a good picture!  Isn't it funny how we look for ourselves!
       ok, maybe it's just me :)

In my quiet time this morning I was reading Ps. 105! It is a great Passage! The beginning stuck me! It appeared to have a pattern! The first 5 verses really focus on:

What I should do TO God!            give thanks, call (v.1) sing praises (2), Seek(4)
What I should do FOR God!         make known (v.1) tell all (2)
What I should do IN RESPONSE to God!           rejoice (v.3) Remember (v.5)

All of this is True! It is pretty clear that I should do all of these things and God is calling me to action...BUT

Then I read the next 40 verses...my pattern  disappeared into the greatness of God's Faithfulness! The next 40 verses have nothing to do with what I can do for God, they are filled with How God has shown His great love for His people! His has always been good! He has always brought us through! He has always protected and provided for those He loves!

The Psalmist spent 8 TIMES more time sharing about WHO GOD IS and WHAT HE HAS DONE, than he spent on me! In this one chapter, I became overwhelmed with the reality that there are so many times in life that I look for "ME" in God's working, when the truth is...God wants me to see "HIM!"  When I stare at the greatness of God in these 40 verses, my "5" seem like a joy filled natural response, not a chore or a job! In light of His 40, my "5" don't take much at all, in fact, it's kinda silly that I even need to be reminded of them.

So if you want to join me today, take a minute to read Ps. 105...don't skip the "5," but definitely let yourself get wrapped up in the 40!