It was a preaching conference, but the topic had little to do with preaching. The title of the seminar was “The One Thing We Must Become Really Good At,” and I had hoped the conversation was going to be about the “one thing” when it came to preaching. But it wasn’t.
Instead the conversation was bigger than preaching. The conversation cut to the core of every preacher, every pastor, every person… including myself. The conversation centered around the deep desire in everyone to be liked. It’s a desire I have, a desire I’ve had as long as I can remember.
As someone in his thirties I have come to the realization that not everyone will like you. There will be times when people are upset at you, even angry at you, and this is especially true in ministry.
As I sat in that preaching seminar, hoping to hear wisdom about preaching, I heard wisdom that would apply to every area of my life. In that seminar the presenter stood up and said “the one thing we must become really good at is forgiveness.” Boom. That was the truth bomb that cut to the core of my being.
Forgiveness. It sounds nice. It sounds easy. But it is so difficult to do. However, I’ve come to realize it is thing I must do. When people say things, when they think things, when they do things that hurt you/me, we must forgive. I must forgive.
Jesus modeled this when he said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”
Stephen, shortly before he was stoned to death, he said “Lord, do not hold this against them.”
Powerful statements. Over the years I’ve realized the power of forgiveness. Someone once said, “Forgiveness is setting a person free, and realizing that person is you.” So true. So, Lord, may I become really good at forgiveness. May I forgive those who hurt me. May I give to them what you have given me.
Finally, here is some great advice from a Ronnie Floyd, a seasoned pastor…
Pastor, never forget this: Hurt people hurt people! Sometimes you will become the brunt of other people’s “stuff.” You must be a great forgiver and forgetter! I used to get sidelined and even paralyzed by the criticism of others. At times, it has almost put me to bed! But it comes back to my daily time with God. In prayer, it is easy to forgive and even to forget. It wrecks me when someone dislikes me or writes about me being something I know I am not. However, the route to wholeness and healing is forgiveness toward all people and forgetting about it, always driving forward. Let it go, Pastor! If you hold that hurt, it will fold you and your ministry.