C.S Lewis writes that “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” He goes on to say that ” To forgive the incessant provocations of daily life—to keep on forgiving the bullying husband, the nagging wife, the selfish daughter or the deceitful son—how can we do it? Only, I think, by remembering where we stand, by meaning our words when we say in our prayers each night “Forgive us our trespasses and we forgive those that trespass against us.” We are offered forgiveness on no other terms. To refuse it is to refuse God’s mercy for ourselves. There is no hint of exceptions and God means what he says.
Our workplaces are rampant with opportunities for forgiveness. Who has not been wronged in one way or another at work? Are you still holding on to it and refusing to forgive? A buddy at work told me more than once that “Forgiveness is liberating.” and he was so right. Please don’t start this new year holding something against someone at work. I don’t have to think longer than a couple of seconds about mistakes I have made that needed someone else’s forgiveness. I know this can be very hard, but we must forgive each other,without limits, as our Father has forgiven us, especially those who are our brother and sisters in Christ. There is tremendous joy for those who continuously offer forgiveness, who recall what unlimited mercy has been poured out on us through Jesus Christ and who show the same mercy toward others.
Before you pray today, spend some time thinking about who do you need to forgive at work. Don’t let this year start chained in the dark dungeon of bitterness and miss the blessing of joy when you have truly forgiven. Let it go!
