Shiny Floors

I can do all things through him [Christ] who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

For the past week, the idea of forgiveness has been on my heart.  I know why, but honestly, I really haven't wanted to face it or do anything about it.  In fact, I would prefer to shove it in the background and let it fade away as I've done so many times before.  But this time seems different.  It's not because what's going on is a new situation, but rather now it seems the right time to pull back the rug that has laid on top of a lot of bitterness for a long time.

Today as I was driving and listening to the radio, a short commercial shared the verse Philippians 4:13.  As I was listening, a connection between Paul's words and the power of forgiveness hit me.  You see Christ is the one that gives us the power to forgive others and we have the choice to use that power or not.  When we choose not to forgive others, we are merely saying that I don't have the ability to forgive and I am deciding NOT to trust Christ to forgive for me and through me.  So we just lift up the rug and sweep it away to be dealt with another day.

The only possible result of not forgiving someone is a well of bitterness pooling up in your life.  When you decide to sweep your problems under the rug for another day, this bitterness will simply cut a hole in the floor under that pretty rug you've designed to cover up your problems.  It may not be seen, but dare to the person who steps on the rug.  And, at the end of the day, it will simply swallow the rug and consume everything around it.

Friend, you are the floor and your life is the rug.  Take care of the junk under your rug, so the floor will be able to shine.