Living Without Pretense

I feel a fresh understanding of something I often considered, but needed to be challenged in, wash over.

Forgiving others as we are forgiven.
I believe wholeheartedly that this is not a command given to us by God as a "suggestion" to help us gain peace.
To those who have been given much, much is expected.
Consider others better than yourself.
Love one another.
Turn the other cheek.

This is what sets us apart from unbelievers.
Our love and our willingness to forgive.
Our willingness to do unto others as we would have them do, regardless of what they have done.

But do we really do this?
Do we take the the ugly criminal of a grudge, fueled by self righteousness, and do we battle it head on, not relenting till it is completely defeated?
Or do we beat it till we grow tired and then brush it under the carpet, it is weak for a time, but grows stronger, yet out of sight, subtly.

Do we put others before ourselves when it conveniences us?
Or perhaps when we are faced with our own sin and desire a quick feeling of restitution that soothes our wounded spirit?

What if we were able to let go of all pretense, humble ourselves, and swallow our prides, and offer the cup of true forgiveness?

I struggle to know what that even looks like? It doesn't say "I forgive" yet harbor unspoken resentment. It doesn't "forget" the sin until something else happens and then it is remembered with fierce recollection.

Its to go to that person who rubs you the wrong way, who makes your life difficult, who is abrasive, obnoxious, smug. It is to take the basin of water and wrap your cloak around you and kneel and remove their sandals and wash their feet.

Oh, that I would know this level of humility. It feels like a discipline, a depth of holiness, that I am far from grasping. But I desire it, I know in my heart it is worthy of seeking.

Forgive, as you have been forgiven.

If God Seems Far Away, Who Moved?

How great is our God?

How just is He?!
How merciful His hand in my life?!
Who am I that He is mindful of me?

I am but a human.
Nothing, apart from my Creator.
Yet He pours Himself out in me.
He knits my life's moments and experiences.

And sinful is my nature.
Except His nature is in me, so it is not.
How beyond my understanding are His ways?
Yet they are worked together for my gain.

Life is but a blip.
And my life is but a mist.
And my purpose is to glorify Him.
How shamefully I fail.

My prayer can only be for His presence to complete me.
Oh God, how you complete me!
I am a grain of sand, with You there is an endless desert of it.
I am a drop of water, with You there is an endless sea.

In my weakness, He is made strong!
And so, how strong He is made!
For my weakness is great, His strength is greater!

Be magnified, O Lord!
May the whole earth sing of Your praises!
May every breath grant You glory!
May every word utter of Your great love!