ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 22, 2022
Henry Ward Beecher was a minister and abolitionist. His powerful words on the far-reaching character of God’s love still influence people today. He wrote, “I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note – torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one.” These are powerful words, yet I do not know if I can agree. I want to agree. I think I should agree. The only problem is that God created me with a brain that tends not to forget stuff like emotional, spiritual or physical injuries. I want to get to a point where that memory, and all its emotions, can be torn in two and burned up, but my brain does not work that way. When working on forgiveness, I find that it requires deliberate decision-making every single day, so my choices are not influenced by what has happened. I think it gets easier over time, but the memory is still there. And for that reason, doing the intentional and ongoing work of forgiveness will keep it (the pain, injury, betrayal) from being the defining moment of our lives.
Merciful God, give me a spirit of endurance for the work of forgiveness. I want to be defined by your love and the capacity to share love. Yet anger, fear and resentment will keep me from doing so. Keep me on the path by which letting go will bring about greater health and faithful living. Amen.
