Imagine if you wrote down all the wrong, messed up, negative, unkind things you have done, and you gave that list to Jesus.
He would then do one thing with that list – Take it, tear it up, and throw it away. Essentially, He would wipe your slate clean. If you come to Him, He promises that “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us”. (Psalm 103:12).
Completely removing any sign of our wrongdoings and mess is what love looks like. We are washed clean because God says, "love holds no record of wrongs.” (1 Cor 13:5)
In contrast, is the attitude many people have when they say they love someone. They love until the other person annoys them or makes a mistake, and then all the accusations and issues from the past come out, and suddenly bygones aren’t bygones anymore.
But God’s type of love that lasts and survives isn’t like that because love forgives and refuses to keep track of personal wrongs. That sort of love never fails; neither can “many waters quench it, Nor can rivers drown it." (Song of Solomon 8:7 1 Corinthians 13:8)
Loving like that doesn't mean we allow ourselves to be abused or continuously hurt by others; we need to be wise and use discernment in our relationships. But we can make it our goal to seek reconciliation, forgive those who seek forgiveness and leave the past in the past.
God knows the lists we hold against ourselves and the ones we have on others and encourages us to tear them up and give them to Him. In exchange, He offers us a blank, brand new piece of paper and for us to offer other people that same gift.
That doesn’t mean people won’t mess up or that we won’t stumble ourselves. But it does mean God if we allow Him, will teach and transform us to love and walk in forgiveness and wisdom, just as He does.
I encourage you to take the time to examine your own heart. What “lists” do you have that you are beating yourself up about, and what lists do you have on others where they may have hurt or disappointed you?
You can always get annoyed at life and the people in it, or you can choose to focus on those things that are good, beautiful and worth telling others about. (Philippians 4:8)
Today is a great day to start fresh, give God your past mess-ups, and forgive and let go of any “lists" you might have on other people so that He can cleanse, restore and make you and your relationships healthy and whole.
Then, rather than making negative lists, try making a new one where you focus on and note all the achievements, wins and good things in your day and your relationships.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV)
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us”(Ephesians 5:1-2)
Prayer: Lord, thank you for offering me a blank page to write the next chapter of my story. I will give you all of my lists. Please forgive me where I have offended and harboured unforgiveness in my heart. Today I choose to let go of my lists and ask that you help me to make a better type of list which focuses on the great things in my life and the people in it. In Jesus Name, Amen.