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Rhythm

'Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.' Matthew 21-22

Forgiveness is hard. Letting go of the wrong someone has done to you is not an easy task. Especially when that person doesn't own his or her wrongdoing. I don't know about you, but I am a justice girl; a rule follower thru and thru. I don't like it when people get off the hook for breaking the rules. It just rubs me the wrong way and takes away that orderly feeling I chase after constantly.

Peter wanted Jesus to tell him when he could stop this forgiveness madness and be justified in his irritation at the person. He wanted a specific number so he could say he tried. Don't we all feel this way at some point? We say we tried and the other person didn't respond so we are justified with being done with that person and holding our grudge.

According to Shauna Niequist, Jesus isn't talking about numbers here. He isn't giving Peter a way out. Rather, he is teaching him how to live in a rhythm a grace; to live in a state of surrender that resides in the space beyond the grudge. Jesus knows there is freedom in this rhythm and desired Peter to find that space. He wants us to live in a rhythm of grace knowing we will be free of the bondage of unforgiveness there.

You see, forgiveness is never about letting someone off the hook or dismissing the wrong committed. Instead, it is an opportunity to free us from the bondage of hurt, anger, disappointment, and frustration and leads us into a deeper relationship with the One who saves. Forgiveness is not forgetting the action taken against you, it is the process of letting go and trusting that God will handle it.

So, when Jesus tells Peter that he should not forgive just seven times but seventy-seven, he is calling Peter to live in a rhythm of grace that leads to freedom.

Some of us are carrying an extremely heavy load. We have piled on hurt after hurt thinking that carrying the weight will some how bring justice one day. Instead, it weighs us down into a hefty state of disappointment, frustration, depression, and lack of trust. We are left alone in our grudge because we can't let go removing ourselves from letting anyone else in.

Forgiveness is about us not the culprit. Forgiveness does not happen one time. Rather, it should be a rhythm to our lives moving us freely through each day.

Let go today. Drop the grudge and move into a rhythm of grace today. Freedom awaits you.

Love & Blessings,
Meg

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