Short Thought continued.....

Choices

 

It’s been a tough year: dreams have been shattered, trust broken and

life has unravelled in glorious confusion, shame and grief.

 

Yet in the midst of all the darkness, the pain, the loneliness, God has been constant. 

He has led me one step at a time along a path of giving mercy and grace

to those who have caused me pain.

 

The words of an old hymn come to mind:

“...each other’s needs to prefer, for it is Christ we’re serving.”

(The Servant King, Graham Kendrick, 1983)

 

I have never before been asked to forgive so sacrificially. 

Walking this out has been tough, requiring me to daily choose to serve ‘the other’.

 

The result of obedience has been healing, forgiveness and restoration

beyond my human abilities and beyond my hopes. 

Incomprehensible, miraculous.

Lives have literally been made new.

 

Why then, from this place of restoration and transformation,

do I find myself reliving the pain?

What causes the memories to resurface and take me back to that place of darkness?

 

‘“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”’

 (John 10:10 NIV)

I read these words and I am reminded that there is an enemy of my soul

who seeks to ‘steal faith, kill hope and destroy love’. 

It is not that the miracle didn’t happen:

it is that I have an enemy who wants to persuade me that it’s not over,

that God’s not enough, that the new is an illusion.

 

I have a choice:

Believe the memories.

Believe the new reality, given by God.

 

‘“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”’

(Isaiah 43:18 NIV)

 

God’s word is clear, and He shows me a way:

‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —

His good, pleasing and perfect will.’

(Romans 12:2 NIV)

 

Heavenly Father,

I choose to believe the truth that You have brought light into darkness,

healing where there has been pain,

and miraculously restored that which was broken and lost.

I choose to turn away from my right to retribution and justice

to follow Your will and Your way.

I chose Your reality, Your truth, Your freedom. 

My choice rests not in my own strength but in the power of the Holy Spirit

to keep my mind, body and spirit in perfect peace.

AMEN.

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