Not Again

And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (Luke 17:1-4 ESV).

Who hasn’t seen the cartoons involving the escapades of Wiley Coyote as he chases the Roadrunner? Regardless of how grand a plan he has to catch the Roadrunner, it always seems to backfire in a way that does much more harm to him than the speedy bird. I have often remarked how much like the coyote we are when we fail to forgive those who have offended us. Jesus speaks to that in our reading today. It’s hard enough to forgive someone even once. But seven times? Little wonder the disciples say, “Increase our faith!” Of course, some injuries don’t require forgiveness. I’m thinking about that parade of little hurts and humiliations that are just a part of life. A friend failed to send you a card when you were hospitalized. A co-worker has idiosyncrasies that annoy you. Your neighbor’s dog answers the call of nature on your lawn. To make every minor irritation an occasion for forgiveness is to trivialize a vital issue. Some offenses are anything but trivial. Some wounds are deep and painful. Learning how to forgive is the path to healing in your own life, if not in the offender’s life as well. We begin by understanding that forgiveness is not an event; it is a process. Think of forgiveness as a long, winding road. If you even want to forgive someone, you’re already on the road. You haven’t yet reached your destination, but you’re on the road. You may wander off the road now and then. The resentment may come seeping back into your soul. But don’t give up. Get back on the road. Keep asking God to help you. Keep praying for your enemy. Keep confessing your own sins, and in the knowledge that God forgives you, you will find yourself more and more able to forgive those who hurt you. Above all remember that throughout this process it is not about the offense. Forgiveness does not justify the sin; it applies restoration to the sinner. Ultimately, complete justification and restoration can only come from God; however, our task is to be a part of opening the road for that to take place. Perhaps there are some in your life that you simply need to forgive… again. Do it today. You will be better for it.