As I was driving to church one Sunday morning, I felt a real sense of anticipation. I started thinking about what I could expect to happen at the service. I wondered who would be preaching the sermon, what songs we might sing and even what announcements might be made. And then I thought about communion. In my church we have the tradition of taking communion on a weekly basis and it is something I deeply value. As I pondered taking communion I had time to reflect on the fact that, as Christians, we are people who have been forgiven by God. By participating in communion, I am regularly reminded of the power of forgiveness through what Jesus did for me.
When we experience forgiveness it an incredibly powerful thing. Forgiveness is an act; a choice that is life-giving. Forgiveness brings freedom, a sense of release and liberty and breathes life into a relationship that has been damaged. When we are the recipient of forgiveness, we are no longer under obligation or beholden to repay the debt we owe. It’s as if a heavy weight has been cast aside, allowing fresh air, light and life to return to the relationship. It then allows both parties to again be free to be the people they are rather than to act in a way that reflects a stressed, strained or even broken relationship.
When we experience God’s forgiveness, we not only experience joy, freedom and a sense of release, His forgiveness brings restoration into relationship with Him. Each of us is able to receive and accept God’s forgiveness and we are restored to how we were designed to be. Being forgiven by God brings about a newness, a fresh start which is as refreshing as a summer shower. The summer shower washes away the heat, dirt and grime of a long hot day; while God’s forgiveness washes the heat, dirt and grime of life away.
No wonder I had a growing sense of expectation; communion was going to remind me of what a blessed position I’m in as a follower of Jesus.
The writer of Psalms also knew the blessing of God’s forgiveness and this is why he was able to pen; “For God alone, O my soul, waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” — Psalm 62:6-8 (The New English Version)
We are blessed as a community as we have known and experienced God’s forgiveness. Let us give thanks to God for this and let us continue to delight and flourish in knowing we are forgiven by our Heavenly Father.
My prayer for our community is, that as we flourish because of knowing God’s forgiveness in our lives may we also be a blessing to others and lavish forgiveness on those with whom we rub shoulders on a daily basis.