"Father, forgive them;
for they know not what they do."
Luke 23:24
How many times do you suppose we've hurt people and not realized it; to have reacted without thought; to have deemed another not ready, worthy, capable, or spiritual enough; to have picked our favorite over another; to have excluded one who didn't measure up; to sit by one more attractive, popular, or fun; to have been in such a hurry to greet one that we bypassed another; to have closed our heart to someone whose words we didn't want to hear; to think we've done God a favor by getting rid of someone we thought difficult, different, or wrong?
How many times do you suppose this prayer has been prayed for us, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do?"
Were we to ask God to open our eyes, to see ourselves as He sees us; to examine our heart, actions, attitudes, and motives... God would be faithful to show us how we are hurting His cause.
Once we've found our sin and corrected it, we can ask God to show us another and, then, another. One step at a time, we'll be weeding out the flesh and Satan's power over us while winning the world to Christ.
Love never fails, I Co. 13:8. It's guaranteed!
© by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/
This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact,
for non-profit ministering purposes.
About the Author
Joyce C. Lock is a published author, poet, and columnist. In addition, she founded and maintains the e-mail ministries "Heavenly Inspirations" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/ and "Share a Smile" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/. Joyce's writings encourage us in our relationship with God and each other.