Over the last couple of months I've been reading Francine Rivers' 'Mark of the Lion' series and the three books have had a remarkable effect on me. I hope to be a proper writer one day and I really admire people like Francine who are able to use their gift as a form of ministry, 'cause that's what it is. Whenever I will write a story, God-willing, I'd want anyone to be able to see Christ woven within that story. I'd want it to be like eating pancakes flavoured with just a sprinkle of cinnamon. The amount of cinammon is just enough so you can taste it, but not too much that you can't taste the pancake anymore...that's kinda how I see Francine employing Christianity in her books. I pray that I will be able to do that in my own writings.
So the first book, "A Voice in the Wind" made me think a lot about professing your faith in Christ during difficult times and relying only on the strength you get from God. The story is set during the Roman era after Jerusalem was destroyed by Emperor Titus and revolves around a young Jewish girl named Hadassah who is taken captive and sold as a slave in Rome. Despite all the hardships she faced, she still managed to serve with love and at the end, her simple way of life led everyone to Christ. It made me sit and assess my own life. I found myself asking questions like 'If I were in the same position, would I act the same way?'
Forgiveness is one of the most important aspects in life. Unforgiveness can cost you eternal life yet sometimes, we don't fully understand the magnitude of forgiveness. We say we forgive but then everytime we see the person we can't talk to them naturally without having feelings of bitterness towards them. It's hard, I admit, it's hard to completely forgive as God does, but that's what He asks of us. Forgive, as Christ forgave you. Complete forgiveness means restoration of the broken relationship between you and the 'offender' (for lack of a better word). That means that you treat them as you did before the offense, love them, care genuinly, share with them... O God, even as I write this I can't help thinking, "That's difficult!" However, all things are possible through Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.
This is my prayer for myself and those around me...that we will learn what true forgiveness is and let go of the natural need for vengeance we have deep within.
Forgive, forget, heal and live joyfully.
BTW: the photo is from another blog...
