Seventy Times Seven

“Senseless tragedy”.  Those words have been reverberating in my mind this last week and a half since the theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado.  Tragedy strikes and it reminds me of the uncertainty of life and the reality of evil.  As a mom I can’t help but grieve for those families whose kids didn’t make it home that night.  The what-ifs begin.  My emotions are mixed, outrage and anger toward the gunman, prayers and sorrow for the victims. 

It was a horrific event, yet the stories that emerge are stories of hope, compassion, courage and generosity.  I’ve even read of an unquestionable miracle.  In the midst of adversity true character is revealed.  The perpetrator we say doesn’t deserve forgiveness; justice demands retribution.  And yet, from hospital beds, some of the survivors have admittedly forgiven the shooter.  How can that be?  It goes beyond reason.

As I said in my last post, forgiveness is a choice and often the first step to healing.  We forgive because our heavenly Father has forgiveness us.  We understand the price He paid to set us free.  We forgive because God asks us to forgive.  Obedience flows from a grateful heart.  We forgive because we know the pain that we ourselves have caused others.  How many times do we forgive?  Seventy times seven is Jesus’ response.

I understand that many will say it is easy for me to speak of forgiveness when I have not been the victim of such an atrocity.  I agree.  I do not stand in judgment of those who have suffered great loss and cannot forgive.  My heart cannot fathom their pain.  Instead, I hope to encourage those like myself who often stand on the other side of judgment, who need forgiveness.  Jesus prayed from the cross, “Father forgive them because they know not what they’ve done.”  Sure there are times when I’ve hurt others without even knowing it, but most of the time my screw ups are clearly evident.  I struggle daily to do the right thing, but instead find myself repeating patterns I long to conquer.  I may seek forgiveness from others, but I am not quick to forgive myself.

What do I do at these times?  I fall on my knees and cry out my heart to God.  He is a compassionate Father.  He gives comfort when no one else can.  When I confess my sins, he is faithful and just to forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). He encourages me to press on when I feel like a failure, to try again when I want to give up. He gives me the hope to believe that in His strength, I can make it through another day.  He offers the same for all who come to him with a broken spirit and contrite heart.                        

There are times when forgiveness is difficult and maybe even harder when you are the one seeking it.  But for those who have been forgiven much, it is the only way, because it is Jesus’ way.