‘STORM BEFORE THE CALM’
Forgiveness is a powerful thing, bringing a comforting calmness. With it, we can enjoy harmony with God’s people; without it, the storm continues. There is also a popular saying in Pilipino language " Kung ang Dios ay laging nagpapatawad, tayo pa kaya na tao lamang."
"If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you." Matthew 6:14
There is a story I read in Our Daily Bread and it goes like this: The small church was struggling and everyone knew why. Two elderly church members had a conflict, and the people had divided thier loyalty between them, which made any kind of progress impossible. They blatantly disregard Jesus’ instructions on forgiving others (Matthew 6:14).
A new pastor came to the church and spent several weeks teaching about forgiveness and trust. For a while the people stuck to thier divided loyalties and continued to slog along in thier stagnant poll of distrust.
After much prayer, the pastor felt directed to the Lord to take action. So during a morning service, he called on the two men to stand and then asked them to forgive each other. He knew that if the church were ever to have peace again, a storm of confrontation had to occur. The men faced off, paused, and then embraced. Tears ran down thier faces as each begged the other for forgiveness. Forty five minutes later, the crying and hugging and forgiving throughout the congragation finally stopped. The church was revitalized to serve together as a loving community for the glory of God.
