Current Youth Group Challenge:
Forgive someone who recently offended you. Say that you forgive him or her and
go the next step and let go of the pain and frustration that you’ve been carrying
around. Give this person a clean slate in your book.
Scripture for you to check out:
For if you forgive men when they sin against
you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
(Matthew 6:14 from the NIV)
At that point Peter got up the
nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts
me? Seven?"
Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy
times seven. (Matthew 28:21, 22
from The Message)
A note from your Youth Director…
I know, I know. It’s easier said, than done, right? Do you remember being a young
child and an adult demanding that you apologize for something? If you were like
me, you said, “I’m sorry” without taking much time to think about whether you were
really sorry or not.
Forgiveness requires that we remember, pray, and let go. That’s right. It’s a three
step program and this is why many people avoid it altogether. We must revisit the
offense, which can be painful. We must spend time in prayer to ask for God’s help
in forgiving, which can lead to this prayerful thought, “God, I know you have forgiven
me for that awful thing I did last week, but I’m just not sure I can really forgive
________. I am still so mad at him/her.” We must let it go, which can be the most
difficult part.
One college Spring Break my roommate and good friend left me stranded without a
ride back to Pitt’s campus (about a 5 hour drive). She decided to change her plans,
which meant my plans had to change too. My family members had to scramble to get
me back in time for classes and I felt like she had acted selfishly. After returning
and sharing this story with friends, I said, “Oh, well. It’s fine. I can’t be mad
at her forever, right?” I thought I had let it go.
When I ran into my roommate in the stairwell of The Cathedral of Learning, I am
not sure what came over me, but I just started yelling at her. You can just imagine
what I said. As my voice echoed up the stairwell, it occurred to me: I had not let
go. Fortunately, a short time after that I was able to forgive and forget. It takes
a concerted effort to truly forgive and I am praying for you all this week as you
take on this challenge – that you have the strength to remember, pray, and let go!
Yours
in Peace,
Nicole
10/24/2008