Forgiveness

I can finally talk about it.  It has taken some deep reflection and honestly some painful re-living of incidents, but I think I am ready.  The Braves blew it!  There, I said it.   I wish that I was only being witty here, but I have to admit I was pretty disappointed in the way baseball season ended. 

I have found that this kind of disappointment comes into every life and always for the same reason.  We put our hope into something or someone and inevitably we are let down when they are not perfect.   It is here that we must admit that is an “us” problem and not a “them” problem. 

No one or no thing is perfect except for our God.  When we put unrealistic expectations on imperfect people (and baseball teams), we set them up to let us down.  That is part of being a fan and we must own that.  However, when we do the same to people and relationships we enter dangerous ground.

We are prone to take the things that we are supposed to get from our relationship with God and transfer them onto the people in our lives.  Our joy, our security, our purpose, our validations, our self-worth, etc.  All of these things are impossible for any human to produce on a consistent enough level to totally fulfill us. So, when they inevitably let us down, the relationship sours and we blame, leave, or remain and live in disappointment.

Be careful what you are asking of the people in your lives.  This is why Jesus emphasized forgiveness as often as He did. It why He said seventy times seven.  It is a constant need in our imperfect lives.   It is critical for healthy relationships and for growth in this world.

In summary, I forgive the Braves for not winning the World Series, and I will be back with them as soon as Spring Training opens up.  I will put my hope in the One who never lets me down and prayerfully never put that responsibility on anyone that I love, even the Braves. 

In Him,

Pastor Scott