Have We Forgotten How to Forgive?

Fourteen years ago our country was brought to its knees by terrorist. Since then many have forgotten how to forgive.

Every anniversary we see mantras

about ‘we will never forget.’ Anyone that was old enough to understand then never will. Yet fourteen years later our country again is being brought to its knees.

Internal discontent has formed such animosity towards each other. No longer do we need to fear al qaeda so much as we fear our own brothers and sisters. A string of unfortunate circumstances has sprung a leak of hate that is infesting our nation.

As Christians we struggle to remain prayerfully hopeful. Jesus gave us a prescription for our lives that can be a bitter pill. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Did you hear that? Read it again “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Those five simple words can be difficult to comprehend. How do you love your neighbor that molest children? How can you love your neighbors that rape, kill and pillage? Those whose lives matter and yet they call for an all out war on those that serve and protect?

Loving your neighbor as yourself,  means loving those that shoot up college campuses or movie theaters. Loving would be forgiving those that took down the towers. Loving means forgiving, not necessarily forgetting.

The day after this fourteenth anniversary of 9/11, I will be on a plane to Haiti. Answering the call to serve the forgotten. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.” He sent his son to die for the world. Not just you and me, but the least of these.

Love your neighbor as yourself sometimes means the ones across the ocean or just down the street. If we live our lives with the loving compassion that God showed for us, we would remember and forgive. We would know that all lives matter and do our part to preserve it.

That may come in the former of feeding or clothing the poor. Maybe it’s helping your elderly neighbor clean their house or mow their lawn. Perhaps you will be called to visit the prisoners and share the gospel with them. It might just be a friendly hug letting someone know they matter.

However you are called to serve, answer the call. He gave his son, what can you give in return?

Blessings,
CJ