Moment to Moment

Not willing

At this, his fellow servant fell down and began begging him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’

But he wasn’t willing. (Matthew 18:29-30)

“He wasn’t willing.”

Those words struck me.

President Trump was recently asked in an interview if entrance to heaven was on the line, would he be willing to forgive his enemies.

He wasn’t willing.

It’s a sad commentary on the state of his heart.

Then again, I don’t know that if he has ever known God’s forgiveness in his life. I pray that he will come to know that joy.

The amazing thing to me is that God is so willing to forgive me, to show me mercy.

I ask, “Are you willing?” and he says, “Yes, I am willing.”

How can I then say to another, “I am not willing”?

Still, it’s hard at times. I was thinking about old wounds today. I’ve forgiven the people who hurt me. But today I found myself needing to say again in my heart, “I am willing. I forgive you.”

Father, let me never have a hardened heart to others, even to those who have hurt me. May I always have a heart that says, “I am willing.”