Matthew 6:14-15
“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
A few months ago, I got a serger…a “sewing machine” of sorts that is used to finish seams with an “overlock” stitch, so there is a neat appearance and no raveling. Turn virtually any “store-bought” garment inside out and look at the seams, and you will see examples of serging. Everyone talks about the number one drawback of sergers – they are terribly hard to thread. In fact, it is recommended that you tie “new” threads onto “old” threads and gently pull them through the machine in order to prevent having to do this manually. Sounds great in theory… but the very first time I tried it, at least one of the four threads broke – and I had no choice but to get out the manual and try to figure out how to thread this complicated contraption!
I tried several times to thread the machine…I followed all of the manual’s instructions (or so I thought)…and still the threads would break. Greg suggested I consult YouTube and see if there were any videos that could help. While there was nothing for my specific machine, I did find a video for a similar serger…and in just a few minutes, mine was properly threaded, and I was on my way! There was one little missing step that the manual could not adequately describe. A visual image on video was just what I needed. That missing part of the puzzle made all the difference in the world…and today, I consider myself something of a pro when it comes to threading the serger!
In our life with Christ, a lot of us have MOST of the puzzle pieces figured out. We think we pretty well know how to “thread the serger”. We understand that we are called to love God and serve Him…and in fact, we truly WANT to do this! We want to love others as we love God…to meet their needs in His name…to think more of other people than we do ourselves. We want to forgive others in order to get forgiveness from God. But there is still a “broken thread” for many of us…something that cuts us off from God’s part and keeps us from completing the circle between us. For many of us, we have done all we need to do except for one thing…we have failed to forgive ourselves.
Think about how many times you say, “If only I had done such-and-such”… or “I really should have called So-and-so”…or “I should have been nicer to him/her – I should have spoken in the grocery store or in the hallway at school or church.” Do you go over things like this in your mind wish you could have a “do-over”? Are you painfully critical of yourself? Do you beat yourself up for every little transgression…long after you have begged forgiveness from God and anyone else you might have offended? Could this be the “missing step” that you have been unable to see?
You are not alone. Many people don’t make this important connection. We fail to see what God sees…His creation…His child…someone who He loves very much. We do not recognize the full potential that God sees in us…and in essence, we don’t fully accept His forgiveness. God wants us to be humble, obedient – and remorseful when we fall short – but He also wants us to come before Him and ask for restoration…then get over ourselves and get on with it!
Think of when adults say to little children, “Tell me what you did and why you had to go to time out!” Then remind yourself that this is often followed by a hug and a “now go and play” as all is forgiven and the ugly business is over and done. The child doesn’t stand around and say, “But I shouldn’t have hit my sister” or “I feel so bad for breaking that dish.” The child moves on…and hopefully tries to do better…and the parents are pleased with the child’s “lesson”.
What is the “missing piece of the puzzle” in your life that causes you to have a “broken thread” in your relationship with God? Could it be that you are able to ask for God’s forgiveness and that of others – and even fairly good at granting forgiveness to others…but when it comes to forgiving yourself, you’re all thumbs? Isn’t it time to “properly thread the machine” and complete your circle with God? Don’t you think this is a great time to begin?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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