So, this week was what we call "Father Heart of God week" With a phenomenal speaker Jeff Pratt. Understanding God as our Father is so key to walking out life with Him!
I thought I'd share some of the things that really stuck out to me this week as I was in class a few times. Would love to be in class more than a couple of times a week..I think it's the learner in me coming out! :-) I love to learn...
One of the most powerful lessons comes from an old British Film called "The Mission"- in this story there is a man who wants to get rid of his guilt and shame for what he's done in the past-namely murdering children from a tribe of indigenous people. So he goes to some Jesuit priest/missionaries and asks them to give them a penance. So they strap to his back a bundle of heavy armor that he drags through the jungles on the way to see this tribe.
At one point one of the priests begs the leader to let the man be released from his load "hasn't he done his penance already?" They both look over at him and the leader replies "But he doesn't think so."
Do we know the love and freedom and forgiveness of the Father, or do we keep our sin and mistakes strapped to our back dragging them around with us? it stuck me at one point as the man almost fell off a cliff how much it also affected those who he was with. When we hang onto our past, not allowing ourselves to be released from the burden, it also drags those around us down. But, "when we walk in the light as HE is in the light. We have Fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sin." 1 John 1:7 When we walk in the light, being known for who we really are, that is humility.
Let us walk in the light and lay our burdens down before our God and Father who longs for us to know He's freed us and we need not take them with us any longer.
It reminds me of in Pilgrim's progress when at the foot of the cross the heavy burden that Christian is carrying breaks off and rolls away. Freedom!
Often in forgiveness we have forgiven those around us, but we can not allow ourselves to receive that same forgiveness.
Have you let others truly know you? Have you allowed the Fathers love to penetrate every area of your heart? Are there places where you need HIs love and Forgiveness?
Just a taste of the week.
To end the movie clip, he finds himself with a young indigenous boy holding a knife to his throat, only to have him cut away the burden and it's there that the man realizes he's truly free.
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