LIVE IT OUT! — Sarah Francis Martin

Forgiveness is a big, broad word that could take us in many different directions today. We could talk all day long about the need to forgive others–– a very important and monumental task, indeed. But today is the day to get down to the nitty gritty and talk about forgiving OURSELVES. It is a choice for us to make today: to let go of the past and accept the forgiveness that Jesus graciously and mercifully blesses us with.

This is a serious matter to Jesus. Check out this very bold wording in Scripture regarding forgiveness. It is even violent. The cross which Jesus was nailed to and died on was excruciatingly violent. God means business when it comes to the work that Jesus did on the cross for each and every one of us. Will we choose forgivenss or will we choose to stand on the sidelines, watching others live in God’s abundant goodness because we feel we are not worthy of God’s mercy for ourselves?

And when your flesh was still uncircumcised—dead in transgressionand swathed in its sinful nature—it was God who brought us to life with Him, forgave all our sins, and eliminated the massive debt we incurred by the law that stood against us. He took it all away; He nailed it to the cross. But that’s not all. He disarmed those who once ruled over us—those who had overpowered us.Like captives of war, He put them on display to the world to show His victory over them by means of the cross. {Colossians 2:13-15 THE VOICE}

When Jesus nailed sin to the cross, He had your name on His heart. He did not leave YOU out from this amazing act of forgiveness. But oh how the devil wants us to think that the beautiful blood Jesus shed on the cross is not for you. That somehow you are the only one not worthy of the release and guilt of past sin.

We can’t allow the devil that kind of power in our life for we are empowered by the Almighty who canceled our debt of sin. God desires you to live with Him in eternity and to love and serve Him here on this earth. Will you choose forgiveness and disallow the enemy to steal that precious gift? NO! Don’t do it…

Choose to move forward today leaving your guilt behind; learning from past mistakes but not letting them trip you up from basking in the presence of your glorious King.

Choose forgiveness.

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Today I had a wonderful lunch with a new friend. With our smart phones set aside, we had one of those get real about life conversations. The word contentment fell out of my mouth and my friend promptly asked striaight up about how I live my life content. My response came quickly and honestly with an absolute disclaimer: I often find myself driving down the mental road of comparision and discontent.

Bottom line, contentment is a daily choice. It is a choice that must always be coupled with a heart of gratitude toward Jesus.

I encourage you to take a moment and think about times where you feel discontent or stuck in the rut of comparison. Maybe you look at all of your friends getting married and wonder when it will be your turn. Maybe you look at other women who look super cute in that swimsuit and wish you, too, had that kind of body. Maybe you are dissatisfied with your job and feel under appreciated. During those times of discontent, did you ever stop to think about all the blessings in your life? Or where the “what ifs” or “why not me” or the “when’s my chance” blocking your view of the good things in your life? All of these questions of discontent rob us of seeing God’s goodness everyday.

By blessings and goodness I’m not just talking about tangible ways God gives us gifts. Though He often chooses to pour into our lives physical blessings, what truly fills our hearts desire for contentment are the intangible ways that God expresses His love for us. Lately, I’ve chosen contentment by intentionally setting my heart focus on who God is and who He is to me…

He is my Abba Father, loving and covering me with protection.

He is generous with His mercy; forgiving me when I go astray.

He is my Creator who took great care in shaping and forming me…I must respect His creation by caring for myself.

He is all powerful and nothing in this world surprises Him. No matter how life shakes up with drama, God is my firm foundation.

So as I reflect on my answer to my friend about contentment, I realize that no matter the “what if,” “why not me,” “when’s my turn?” that I’m often tempted to dwell upon, there are always greater thoughts of gratitude and reflections on God’s intangible blessings that fill that discontent hole in my heart. It is my daily choice to say, THANK YOU and turn that discontentment into a heart that embraces God’s glory and goodness in my life.

What are your thoughts on contentment? How do you battle comparison and dissatisfaction?

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