the word that changes everything

This morning, I read a chapter from Seven Women and the Secret Of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxes. The story extols the life of Corrie ten Boom. I am humbled.

Some of you are familiar with this extraordinary woman of faith who orchestrated the salvation of hundreds of Jews from the murderous grip of Nazi Germany. Along with her entire family, Corrie’s courage in the face of imprisonment, torture, and agonizing death causes tear ducts to bleed. Her book, The Hiding Place, chronicles her story. Even if you do not read any of her books, you should Google her and learn from her remarkable journey. Your life will be the better for it.

When the German army occupied Holland, the Boom family worked in the Resistance movement and hid dozens of displaced Jews in their home. The family was ultimately arrested and sent to various prison and concentration camps where several died miserable deaths at the hands of vicious animals masquerading as humans. I cannot explain their plight in this short article, but think of the worst atrocities savage beasts could impale upon their fellow persons, multiple it by ten, and you might approach the satanic deeds of these demented sub-humans.

Throughout the entire ordeal, the Boom family barely wavered in their faith and worked to draw others, including their captors, to Christ. Corrie’s sister, Betsie, accompanied her through most of the ordeal and became a mentor and tutor in the ways of forgiveness.

“One day, when Betsie was able to lift only a shovelful of dirt, a guard began to make fun of her. Betsie tried to laugh along with them but only succeeding in infuriating the guard tormenting her. The guard picked up her crop and struck Betsie on her neck and chest.

In a blind rage, Corrie grabbed her shovel and went for the guard, but Betsie stopped her before the guard had a chance to see her. As blood began to soak her blouse, she begged her sister to keep working. Seeing Corrie stare angrily at the welt forming on her neck, Betsie said, “Don’t look at it, Corrie. Look at Jesus only.” (Seven Women and the Secret of Their Greatness, Eric Metaxas)

In time, Corrie and her sister dreamed of how they could help victims with special needs. One day, a guard nicknamed “The Snake” brutally beat a mentally challenged young woman as she stood in the ice-cold with the other prisoners. The maiden had soiled herself while standing for roll call.  To this situation, Betsie said to her sister, “What can we do for these people? Afterward, we can make a home for them. I pray every day that we can show them that love is greater.”

Only later did Corrie realize that her sister was not talking about the victims of the Nazis but the Nazis themselves. Betsie later died in the prison hospital.

After the war, Corrie took her message of forgiveness worldwide through books and public speaking. Before her death, millions learned of the horrors of Nazi Germany. But far more importantly, millions learned of the greater love of Jesus and the power of forgiveness. They are still learning today.

At one point, Corrie was speaking in a church in Munich. When the speech ended, many came to her to bless her and thank her. Out of their midst, a man approached her. At the instant he caught her eye, Corrie was paralyzed. The man was one of the despicable guards who had treated her with such cruelty. He approached her with his hand held out to shake, but she could not move. Her hand was locked to her side.

“And I stood there – I whose sins had again and again to be forgiven – and could not forgive. Betsie had died in that place – could he erase her slow terrible death simply for the asking?”

The soldier stood there waiting for her hand. He explained that he was a prison guard but had since become a Christian and that God had forgiven him of his atrocities. But could she?

Corrie prayed, “Jesus help me.! I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling.”  She then thrust out her hand.  Here is her account of the experience.

“And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hand. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.

“I forgive you brother!” I cried. “With all my heart.”

For a long moment we grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely as I did then. But even so, I realized it was not my love. I had tried and did not have the power. It was the power of the Holy Spirit.”  (Seven Women and the Secret to Their Greatness, Eric Metaxas, pages 135-136)

In a few pages, I closed the chapter in tears. Forgiveness is perhaps the noblest of all Godly traits. At the same time, it is the most excellent cleanser of the soul and bearer of internal peace known to humankind. When we forgive, by God’s loving power, we are most like Him who has forgiven us.

I laid Eric’s book next to me and reached for another book, my journal. I commenced thanking God for His ongoing forgiveness and the opportunity to be His friend. I then brougth images to mind, faces of those who have treated me unfairly and unjustly, people who have hurt me all the way back to my childhood.

 One by one, I wrote these words, “I forgive . . . for . . .” I sensed that I had already forgiven all of these people, but I wanted it penned in indelible ink. And, if there remained some bitterness in me, it was time to let it go. “To let it go” is the definition of forgiveness.

 I forgave God too. Though I know that He does not need my forgiveness, for He has never treated me unjustly or with malice, I sometimes construe that He has. I think He understands.

Finally, I came to perhaps the most difficult one of all to forgive. He is the image I see in the mirror. Though my failings mount as high as Everest, I have tried to follow Jesus. Though I know that my selfishness will cause many more transgressions, I stand forgiven. I forgive Don.

Through the years, I’ve preached and taught about nearly every malady known to humanity. But whenever I have spoken about letting go of injustice, pain, and suffering – forgiveness – the subject elicits deep-seated responses. We are all members of a fallen race. We hurt, and we are hurt. We suffer pain, and we cause pain. We judge, and we are judged.

Perhaps you need to make a list too.

“. . . and forgive us our sins,
    as we have forgiven those, who sin against us.”

LIve Inspired!

Don Mark

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