Forgiveness

It’s 0517 and I’m on the road heading into work. It’s dark, traffic is light and I’m enjoying the morning broadcast where Sheri Rose Shepherd is sharing part of her story. A powerful story of redemption. Part of the story reflects on the drug dealer that provided the LSD that nearly took her life. What struck me about this telling was that she referred to this man as her friend. He had encountered the Lord and his life was changed. Having been saved he came after Sheri Rose to bring clearly wanting that she be part of the everlasting community he was now part of. Two powerful things struck me. First, there is no one God can’t save. Second, Sheri Rose had forgiven this man, this man that nearly killed her. My heart was exploding because God was letting me know I had unfinished business. The tears started streaming (even as I write they’re coming) and I could feel the hate being sucked from my body. As the tears dripped from my cheek I uttered the words, “I forgive you, I don’t know you but I forgive you.” I had finally, after nearly 8 years, forgiven the person who sold the drugs to Brian leading to his death. What is truly amazing however, is the instantaneous feeling of freedom. I had listened to so many sermons on forgiveness. Sure, I forgave but, I hadn’t and the bitterness was eating me up inside I just didn’t realize it. How did I carry such venom for so long? I had limited my God, making Him so much smaller than He is. He rescued me and I know He can rescue this drug dealer. By forgiving him I open myself up to receive forgiveness. My God is awesome and by forgiving I can see just how awesome He is. When I get to heaven and see Brian I know he’ll introduce me to his drug dealing “friend” and I’ll be able to tell him how sorry I am for the hate against him that I carried for so long.

Mark 11:25: “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”