4:357 – Festivus For The Rest Of Us

#faithbites #faithjourney Festivus

Setting

Happy December 23 or as they celebrate in Seinfeld, Festivus. It’s a holiday created for the show that snubs its nose at the commercialization of Christmas by only having an aluminum pole for decoration, no presents, feats of strengths, and the most notable aspect, the airing of grievances. It’s the one day of the year to tell people how you really feel and get things off your chest. We can look at it and laugh, but what would it be if we really got everything off our chest?

Today’s Questions: Do you let me know how they really make you feel? Are you holding onto grudges or grievances? How does God want us to express these feelings?

Scripture

• Colossians 3:13 – Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
• Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
• Matthew 18:21-22 – Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

Reflection

First and foremost, it is ok to be upset and mad. When things don’t go right or people hurt us, we can and should feel that pain. God isn’t about blocking our feelings, he gave them to us for a reason. No, we won’t have feats of strength on Festivus or airing our grievances to hurt, but we can and should talk to one another often about how we are feeling. The key, and we see it in all three of our verses, is forgiveness. When we talk about the hurt and the pain, it’s not to wound or get back, but to forgive and grow. It’s also not about keeping score but forgiving always. Finally, our Ephesians verse, tells us how to do this. We should be kind and tenderhearted. Yes, it is hard to do this. I get so angry at times and want to lash out. This is where forgiveness comes in for us and patience from God. One step at a time.

As we close, remember that a Festivus celebration is funny, but God shows us how to forgive as Christ forgave us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are the example of forgiveness. We pray that you help us be more like you. Help us to be tenderhearted and kind in all actions and relationships. When we are hurt, or hurt others, help us to forgive and be forgiven. We pray this in your name, Amen.