Moving Forward - 8 February 2025

SATURDAY, February 8, Josephine Bakhita

Galatians 6:1a My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.

This verse sounds like “preaching gone straight to meddlin’. ” But I love that there’s no expectation that Christian community will be a holy utopia. Restoration to relationship and community is not about bypassing a wrong done but rather engaging the wrongdoer with accountability in love—and engaging the wronged with healing. There is no us and them in God’s economy. Them is also us. Forgiveness is a spiritual discipline that allows us to feel what we feel but address our relationships in loving, brave, and mutually respectful ways, even if we disagree.

And because abuse and oppression never have been and never will be love, even in forgiveness, restitution (not retribution) and justice are still to be sought. Healthy boundary setting can stave off peril and bitterness. I have never been able to do this on my own. But with the Holy Spirit’s help, forgiveness is how we can live, even if we hurt and/or get ticked off at each other sometimes. 

MOVING FORWARD: How can you engage in conversation this week with someone with whom you’ve experienced hurt or anger?

PRAY for the Diocese of Luapula (Central Africa)

Psalm 75, Psalm 76 * Psalm 23, Psalm 27 | Isa. 57:3-13 | Gal. 5:25-6:10 | Mark 9:14-29

(Source: Forward Day by Day Movement)