Wading Through the Muck

Praise be to the most merciful, gracious God who loves and saves us. Everything else pales in comparison to this great love and grace.

I wanted to start this post with a praise and some focus on the most important thing in life...a relationship to the Creator and Savior. The reason is that sometimes we have to wade through the muck and mire of life and its very easy to forget what matters. Sometimes people let you down. Sometimes commitments are made, but not honored. Sometimes people will break your heart, or just walk away. People, by their nature, are self-centered and think first of themselves. This is natural in a way...it is a function of a sinful nature. This doesn't make it any easier to stomach, however, when others let you down...and they will.

Look around you. Check your facebook or myspace friends list. There are people on those lists that you would trust with your life who are worthy of that trust, and some who will betray you. Never...NEVER let the fear of betrayal stop you from loving people. When someone hurts you...and someone will...find a way to forgive and move on. After all...your relationship to God and to everyone else around you remains and is far more important than the betrayal of one. To let resentment eat away from the inside will damage more relationships and put a barrier between you and The One who loves you most.

People make commitments and promises, and people will break them. To be sure, we all have the right to expect, even insist, that those around us honor their commitments. As believers, there exists even greater responsiblity for acting with integrity in all our dealings. Unfortunately, believers will let you down too. We must find a way to forgive those who fail us. After all, we have all failed others and desire the same forgiveness be offered to us.

My challenge to us all is this: First, honor your commitments...don't let your brothers and sisters down. Second, when you are betrayed, ask God to help you forgive and find a positive path. Third, if you are the betrayer, ask forgiveness of those you've hurt and do whatever it takes to fulfill your obligations to others.

I realize this is rambling and very general. The generality is because there are hundreds of possible applications. My guess is that you are thinking of at least one person and one situation as you read this that has hurt you...or at least one you have hurt. Please, please, PLEASE put the hurt and resentment behind and praise God for all the wonderful things in your life...and pray for the one(s) who have hurt you. They need God's love and guidance so very much...ask Him to provide it.

Blessings, my friends.