Message from Pastor Arlene
Recently, I came to the realization that I made a mistake.
In retrospect, it was an easy mistake to make—a slipping backward into the past, which is one of humanity’s default mechanisms for coping. Triggered by the highly inflammatory Facebook post of a relative regarding the recent wildfires in California, and childhood memories of a friend’s house that caught fire when I was nine years old, I took out my angst on someone who
didn’t deserve it.
Yes… even pastors fall into default mode on occasion.
Yet, once I realized what I’d done, I sought to remedy the situation. I reached out to the person
I offended and asked for forgiveness. I explained my remorse and the realization behind what
had occurred. So, having done my best to repent, it’s now time to forgive myself, to learn from
the mistake, and let it go.
You see… I cannot make the person I offended forgive me, nor is that my job. Forgiveness is
the job of the Holy Spirit, working within the hearts of we who claim Christ’s salvation.
Forgiveness isn’t something we “do.” It is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It begins when we
search our hearts and are able to be honest with ourselves. Forgiveness reflects the true
freedom of the salvation we claim, which frees us from repeating the same, old mistakes again
and again.
But even more than that, salvation is the freedom to forgive even those who never ask to be
forgiven. Forgiveness is the gift Christ gives to us, by revealing the truth of our human condition
as flawed and sinful, (which is also the theme of Lent).
With the sole exception of Jesus, all human beings default into sinful patterns in some shape or
form. Recognizing this is true, even of ourselves, is the starting place for the freedom that
allows us to forgive ourselves and others.
Admitting to ourselves when we get it wrong, and seeking God’s forgiveness, sets us up for
ever-greater forgiveness. And this where the true freedom of Christ’s salvation lies! He who
sought God’s forgiveness on our behalf, even from the cross, saying, “Forgive them, for they
know not what they do,”—Luke 23:34. How true!
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