It is called, “The sunflower” by Simon Wiesenthal.
While imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, Simon witnessed atrocities that deeply affected his soul.
As a POW, Simon was tasked with caring for wounded German soldiers.
One day, a dying soldier asked Simon to hear his confession and grant him forgiveness, not only for what he personally had done, but all those who had contributed to the evils of war.
As a young man, Simon did not know how to respond, and left the room without commenting on what he had heard.
As he grew into adulthood, the exchange tormented him.
So, he wrote letters to 53 prominent people worldwide, and asked, “What would you have done?”.
The letters he received in response were compiled into his book, “The Sunflower”, and the reading is confronting and challenging.
I have to say, I have never faced a situation like Simon Wiesenthal, but I have faced many times when forgiveness has caused me much angst and battle.
Should I forgive?
When offended?
When hurt?
Must I forgive?
Forgiveness is complex in many areas.
I acknowledge those who have suffered much and live with wounds of injustice, harm and hurt.
I am not here to dictate what your journey looks like as you navigate those situations, but I want to offer you an opportunity of peace and rest.
A safe place where you are heard, where you are loved, where you are comforted.
A place where you can lay down all the turmoil unforgiveness brings and find a balm of healing in the midst of that pain.
The Bible tells us, if we want peace in our lives, Jesus is ready to comfort and restore hearts full of hurt into hearts of hope.
But receiving a peace that walks with us in the painful journeys of life, comes with this –the acknowledgment of our need to ask for forgiveness.
Before the perfect peace and rest of Jesus can live within us, we need to acknowledge that we have hurt and wounded a holy God.
Although we like to think of ourselves as good people, the Bible tells us that there is only one who is good, and that is God.
We can never measure up to the Holiness of God.
But how humbling to know that God reaches toward us in His love, to offer us a forgiveness and a relationship with Him.
When our relationship to God is restored through His forgiveness, we can then rely on His peace and rest as we navigate how we forgive those who have wounded us.
We live in a world that can be full of hardness, but we don’t have to live with hard hearts.
So, if you are struggling with forgiveness, and want peace and rest for your soul, come to Jesus and let Him quieten you with His forgiveness and grace.
Sallie Schroder
New Life Baptist Church
9°C