I've been thinking quite a bit about forgiveness over the past several days, and how often times the most persecuted people, and those who have been wronged in the most severe ways seem to live out an attitude of forgiveness that many others don't. This was partly triggered by the murder of
Tom Fox, who had been held captive in Iraq since the beginning of December, 2005. Tom Fox was a member of
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), a Christian organization committed to offering organized nonviolent alternatives to war and other forms of lethal inter-group conflict.
Some would say that the acts of CPT members in Iraq and other places are simply unpatriotic, and that they are naive to the great complexities of the world we live in, thus the need for war at times. Others would say that their actions are commendable, that they are truly living in solidarity with the poor and oppressed victims of wars and conflicts, following the commandment of Christ to love our enemies in a radical and tangible way.
Followers of Christ fall into both of these camps and undoubtedly have a plethora of, or at least some scriptural references to back up their views.
I'm not interested at this point in joining this debate, but am more interested in looking at the attitude of forgiveness that many non-violent protesters, and other persecuted people radiate.
I think of the life of
Corrie Ten Boom, and how she was able to forgive her Nazi captors. Of a single South African mother I know whose HIV positive x-boyfriend raped her 9 year old and 6 year old daughters, passing onto them the HIV virus, and how this lady refused to harbor bitterness towards this man, but instead chose to walk in a spirit of forgiveness. Of an Arab man I know who has been shunned by his family and imprisoned several times because of his religious beliefs, and yet he continues to talk about how much he loves his parents, never speaking of them in a negative way.
These people encompass an attitude of forgiveness that I very seldomly understand, experience or live out. I often times find myself struggling to forgive people who have wronged me in even the smallest of ways. I even find myself struggling to forgive people who have not necessarily sinned against me but have sinned against my family and friends. And yet I have wonderful examples of people who very deeply walk in a spirit of forgiveness, living out the attitude in which Christ modeled and calls us to live.
How I long to truly live in this way, forgiving those who persecute me and loving those who speak falsely about me.
But how very far I have to go.
Peace,
M.P.
