“And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.” (Mark 11:25, The Message)
One of my favorite quotes about forgiveness: “Never hold a grudge; they shed horribly.” (Jack Hayford)
As I read this passage this morning, a visual came to mind. I had the mental picture of myself trudging into the place of prayer dragging a load of someone else’s actions. The load is filthy and despicable. Every time I look at it, I see their dirt. I smell their filth. I taste the bitterness of their actions. I hear their words repeated. I feel the heaviness of the load I carried in.
And then I begin my time of prayer. I ask God to bless me and guide me. I ask Him to forgive me. I ask Him to supply my needs.
And then I turn and look at the load of that person’s dirt that I dragged in. I’m not ready to forgive. So I stand up, grab the load that I brought in, and leave the place of prayer.
Whose load is it?
Based on this verse this morning, I wrote elsewhere, “If you drag someone else’s dirt into your place of prayer, let it go and leave it there. Otherwise, you will take it out as your own.”
Could it be that we are burdened in this life with loads that we simply refuse to lay down? Do we really want to be burdened with the load of someone else’s stuff?
Question: What strategies can you think of to truly let it go and leave it there?
Leave a comment. I’d love to hear your perspective.
