The major work of prayer is alignment with the heart of God. As we contemplate God through scripture, reflection, awareness, and dialogue; we often find that alignment with God's heart begins with a disruption in the "normal" ways of wisdom.
Relational score-keeping has been a "normal" mode of operation for humans for thousands and thousands of years. Our first law codes as civilizations were built on the premise of transactional fairness (if someone cuts off your hand, their hand will be cut off in fair retaliation). But the concept of forgiveness disrupts this cycle of 1-to-1 and taps into a system of relational abundance instead of relational scarcity. When we disrupt the cycle of 1-to-1 retributive violence, we step closer into the infinitely loving heart of God - a place where our deepest sense of self, world, and others resides, flourishes, and grows.
As you pray today, take an inventory of 1-to-1 cycles you're collecting (relationships, situations, personal identity) and imagine, for a moment, what these would look like when disrupted by forgiveness. Ask God to give you moments throughout the day and week to see and anticipate what these cycles look and feel like when disrupted by forgiveness.
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Tomorrow on the Daily Connection: Deeper Dive Podcast
About the Author
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC