Field guide · Crossings
Us with Godand Forgiveness
Forecast: a long freeze with patches of thaw, and some mornings the ice comes back.
Four tired ways to walk
Each has some truth in it. None of them is the whole story.
Under GodSheep that hide from the Shepherd
God won’t forgive me unless I forgive them, so I’d better say the words and stuff the feelings.
Over GodSheep that know the way
Forgiveness is a healthy principle. Release the negativity and move on efficiently.
From GodSheep that follow the grass
I’ll forgive once God makes them pay or makes me feel better.
For GodSheep trying to be the sheepdog
A good Christian would be over this by now, so I’ll act like I am.
We forgive out of what we’ve been given.
Jesus told about a servant forgiven a debt he could never repay, who then choked a fellow servant over a far smaller one (Matt 18:21–35). The story starts with mercy received, so we can “forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col 3:13). Forgiveness isn’t pretending the harm didn’t happen. Joseph looked at his brothers and named it plainly, “You intended to harm me,” and then he named God’s goodness too (Gen 50:20). It can take time, and it doesn’t always mean trusting again right away.
Where the Shepherd isHe forgave from the worst place imaginable. On the cross he prayed, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).
Write down honestly what was done to you, then pray it to God and ask him to help you hand the debt over to him.
Lord, show me again how much you’ve forgiven me, and help me with this one.
Fellow travelers
People in Scripture who walked this ground before us.
- Joseph wept so loudly when he finally made himself known to his brothers that the Egyptians heard it (Gen 45:1–5).
- Esau, wronged years before, ran to meet Jacob and embraced him (Gen 33:4).
Keep walking
- With God: Sheep that know his voicethe posture every entry points to
- Which Way Are You Walking?a short self-check
- The Field Guideevery entry, by terrain, weather and crossing