Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-5
After a talk I heard this spring by the leader of HR for Intervarsity and the director of True Face, I’ve been pondering repentance and forgiveness this year. I want to share a bit about what I am learning.
Repentance is acknowledging something that we have done which is sinful, or negatively impacting another person or our relationship with God. It’s the idea of “changing how we see something.” Repentance also includes these ideas: “to perceive afterwards;” “to reconsider;” “to be very observant;” “to be acutely aware.” Repentance depends on us taking time to understand our impact on others…taking time to listen and understand. For all of us, being understood is close to the feeling of being loved.
We are commanded to extend and express forgiveness to someone who has done something that has a negative impact on us. But to help us forgive for that impact, we need to talk about what was done to us and the consequences and losses we experienced. And we need to forgive for these consequences as well as the act itself.
What struck me with this is that both repentance and forgiveness require that we consider the impact we have on others, as well as consider the impact of sin against us. I am not always aware of how my actions impact others. I’ve been considering “how am I doing at forgiving others?,” and “how am I impacting others?”
One major point of the talk I heard is that these two acts are the foundations for trust in relationships and organizations. I am trying to take steps of faith in both of these areas.
Thank you!
This month we celebrate God’s blessing to us by setting aside time to acknowledge and thank Him for everything we have. We cannot do that without counting the incredible miracle and blessing it is to have a team of financial supporters that allow us to serve with Cru. There is no way for us to adequately express how grateful we are for your sacrificial investment in our lives and ministry. It is humbling, and yet the whole way this works glorifies the Lord. It is an amazing to experience the body of Christ working in unity to help fulfill the Great Commission and see others come to experience Him.
Thank you. We are imperfect people who are are asking God to use us, and He has led you to help us be able to do this for almost 34 years. It is at times beyond comprehension that he has brought us together to do this.
We are so grateful for you,
