7 AM Porch Ponderings: Coffee, Moonlight, and the Call to Forgive Forward

 

7 AM Porch Ponderings: Coffee, Lingering Moonlight, and the Biblical Path to Forgiveness

The eastern sky is beginning to blush with the first hints of dawn, though the moon still holds its place in the heavens, a reminder of the quiet hours past. Here on my front porch, with a fresh cup of coffee warming my hands, I'm continuing my journey through Lysa TerKeurst's "Forgiving What You Can't Forget" for my discipleship homework. The insights from chapters 13 through 15 are stirring my soul this morning, particularly when viewed through the lens of God's Word.

Chapter 13, "When Forgiveness Feels Like Letting Them Off the Hook," tackles a feeling I suspect many of us wrestle with. It's the fear that by forgiving, we're somehow excusing the wrong done to us. But as TerKeurst wisely points out, and as scripture reinforces, forgiveness is ultimately for our liberation. Jesus' words in Matthew 6:14-15 are clear: "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Holding onto that hook of unforgiveness only binds us tighter to the pain, much like the enslavement to sin described in Romans 6:16. True freedom comes in releasing that grip, not for the offender's sake, but for our own spiritual and emotional well-being.   

As the morning light strengthens, I reflect on Chapter 14: "The Power of Naming the Hurt." TerKeurst emphasizes the importance of being honest about the specifics of our pain, a practice echoed throughout the Psalms. David, in his anguish, didn't shy away from raw honesty with God (Psalm 22:1). By articulating our wounds – the betrayal, the abandonment, the disrespect – we validate our experience and begin the crucial process of healing. It's a step towards truthfulness with ourselves and with God, paving the way for genuine forgiveness.

Finally, Chapter 15, "Grace: The Unearned Gift That Makes Forgiveness Possible," resonates deeply with the core of the Gospel. TerKeurst beautifully connects our ability to forgive with the boundless grace we ourselves have received. Ephesians 4:32 commands us: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Our capacity to extend forgiveness is a direct reflection of the forgiveness we've been so freely given through Christ's sacrifice. The parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35 serves as a stark reminder of the importance of extending that grace to others. Forgiveness, empowered by God's grace, is often a supernatural act, a conscious choice to give what hasn't been earned, mirroring the very heart of God's love for us.   

Sitting here as the day awakens, the lessons from these chapters, illuminated by scripture, offer a powerful path forward. Forgiveness isn't about condoning wrong; it's about choosing freedom for ourselves (Matthew 6:14-15). It requires honesty in acknowledging our pain (as seen in the Psalms), and it's ultimately made possible by the transformative grace we've received in Christ (Ephesians 4:32). May we all find the strength, through God's grace, to release the burden of unforgiveness and walk in the light of His love.

What are your thoughts on the role of grace and honesty in the journey of forgiveness? I'd love to hear your reflections as we continue to learn and grow together in faith.