Word on the web/25 April

[ladylovesJesus]

25 April 2008
Word on the Web
Meditations for Life's Journey - Relationships
From the Wise Traveller Series

Today's Word on the Web follows a different format to our normal pattern and uses material from the "Wise Traveller" series of meditations for life's journey on relationships. The material is copyright Scripture Union and used by permission.
Wise Traveller
Reconciler

If there is to be reconciliation, who are the ambassadors of Christ, we to whom the gospel of reconciliation has been entrusted, surely we must be Christ's instruments of peace. We must ourselves be reconciled. The victims of injustice and oppression must be ever ready to forgive. ...But those who have wronged must be ready to say, 'We have hurt you by this injustice, by uprooting you from your homes, by dumping you in poverty-stricken homeland resettlement camps. By giving your children inferior education. By denying your humanity and trampling down on your human dignity and denying you fundamental rights. We are sorry, forgive us.' And the wronged must forgive.

Those who have wronged must be ready to make what amends they can. They must be ready to make restitution and reparation. If I have stolen your pen, I can't really be contrite when I say, 'Please forgive me', if at the same time I still keep your pen. If I am truly repentant, then I will demonstrate this genuine repentance by returning your pen. Then reconciliation, which is always costly, will happen.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu


I think of those people that I have loved and lost.

I rejoice in any happiness and give thanks for every smile. recall moments of joy and feelings of affection and love. I acknowledge the sadness of loss and resentment. I seek to reconcile myself to any sorrow.

I take time to stand in their shoes. I embrace any bitterness and seek to find peace in my heart. I offer up the pain of the past, asking for the gift of forgiveness.

As I seek to love others as I love myself, may Eternal Love surround us all.

I think of the relationships I have which are damaged or fractured.

I rejoice in every meaningful moment and give thanks for shared conversations. I bring to mind memories of care and commitment.

I acknowledge the sadness and brokenness, guilt and blame. I seek forgiveness for my own wrongdoing and choose to reconcile myself to the anger and hurt of others.

I take time to stand in their shoes.

I embrace any resentment and seek to find understanding in my heart. I offer up the pain of the past, asking for the gift of compassion.

As I seek to love them as I love myself, may Eternal Love surround us.

I think of those who are broken within.

I rejoice in the gift of hope. I lean on the promise of a time with no more pain and the hope of unconditional love.

I acknowledge my desire to love myself unreservedly. I recognise my own need for healing, knowing that as I learn to love myself, I will be better equipped to love others.

I take time to look at myself standing in my own shoes. I embrace my brokenness and seek after wholeness. I offer up the pain of the past to God, asking for the gift of healing.

May all our broken relationships be healed and new beginnings created.
May the worried find rest. May the confused find direction.
May the angry find justice. May the rejected find comfort.
May the bitter find peace. May the lonely find hope.

As I seek to love my neighbour as I love myself, may Eternal Love surround us.
Emma Sergeant

For more information on Wise Traveller see Wise Traveller - Meditations for Life's Journey

This material is copyright Sripture Union 2007