FORGIVING IN THE SPIRIT by Robert Soto

FORGIVING IN THE SPIRIT by Robert Soto

December 30, 2009

Genesis 50:19-20 "But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Geronimo struggled until the day he died, with the memory of his wife, mother and two daughters being killed by the Mexicans. He swore vengeance on the Mexican people until the day he died. He carried hatred in his heart and promised he would kill every Mexican he met. It seems like every year, I look back at things that were done against me in some way or another and I guess I feel a similar pain. A frustration like that which Geronimo felt in his heart sometimes seems to run through my veins. I know that I have forgiven but for some reason the memories of the past sometimes haunt me here in the future. So I spend time praying and asking God the Creator to help me to truly forgive in such a way that the memories of past harms will not take over my life as if it was happening today.

My prayer is that one day I might be like Joseph in the Bible. Joseph saw beyond the wrong that was done to him and saw the hand of God the Creator working through him and in him, even in the midst of the wrong. Because of jealousy, he was sold as a slave by his brothers. Years later the were reunited, and Joseph gladly brought them to the new land that he ruled. When Joseph's father died his brothers felt that this was the time for Joseph to get his revenge for the wrong they had done to him. So they devised a plan and this is what they said, "Your father left these instructions before he died: 'This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your Father." When Joseph heard this he wept and said, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." I pray that God the Creator gives me the same spirit of forgiveness that Joseph had. Understanding that regardless of the wrong done to me, God the Creator has a greater purpose for me in my life in view of the wrong.

Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:

McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church