i was feeling low on faith.
some tough realities were bothering me.
hindering me from feeling good, feeling motivated,
loved and valuable.
because this can be super harmful if not addressed,
I Had To Get Stuck on Jesus, and quick.
anyway, that led me to this T.D. Jakes sermon,
which prompted a reading of Luke 17.
& it's not that this scripture directly addressed
my lack-luster preceding moments,
but it brought Jesus before me,
not only in the real way of being reminded
His presence and goodness are 24/7/365,
but in a new way. wow.
a picture of His character, an
understanding of His will & perspective
that I had not been ready to see before.
In ways that correspond to the woman I am today.
a black woman, one of God's.
& the realities that I face and the comforts I seek.
the offenses perpetuated against me & the
offense I myself perpetrate against others.
& let me tell you, I had my suspicions,
but Jesus really is that guy.
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We are often taught the concept of forgiveness in church,
but never really taught how to deal with violence perpetuated against us,
whether that violence be emotional, mental, physical, sexual, etc...
& what can end up happening, is our relationship with Christ can suffer,
and we can begin to move away from the church after suffering something traumatic,
because it seems that Christ has no help for us, for our feelings and our present troubles.
but that's wrong. because where you're righteously angry, so is Christ.
& forgiveness is not just given, it is earned.
& like you and me, Christ also rebukes and turns away those who harm unjustifiably,
In Luke 17, Jesus tells us that those who seek to harm His family,
would be better off killing themselves.
& when a brother sins against us, we should rebuke them. Talk to them.
Tell them that they hurt you and how, and what should have been done instead.
only then, and if, you're brother acknowledges their behavior and seeks retribution & forgiveness,
then you must forgive them.
but the forgiveness is earned, not freely given.
there is acknowledgement of the sin that was done against you,
and it wasn't swept over or dismissed,
it must be addressed.
because wrongs against you aren't okay.
& we have the Godly agency to protect ourselves & our families,
from those who callously commit harm against others.
so for women who are violated over and over,
and children who are preyed upon,
their violators are not entitled to forgiveness,
& the saving of their lives, is not our concern.
there is a God who acknowledges our pain,
and who grieves with us as we heal,
and respects our anger.
and while that righteous anger is there,
and that space for unforgiveness of evil,
we still have a duty to also forgive those who righteously seek forgiveness.
who put in the work to repent. to change their ways and offer countenance to those they've hurt.
Jesus says although it is hard, it is your reasonable service to do so,
an unprofitable act,
because it is what has been done for you and i.
this side of Christ,
His righteous anger,
His talk of death for those that are evil,
the conditions of forgiveness,
I had not seen before,
and I am so thankful for it.
