Hatred or Forgetfulness?

 

Hatred seems a long, long way from being Forgetful. And yet, when you read these next words, it is surprising to see how close they are to each other.

"The devil doesn't fill us with hatred for God, but with forgetfulness of God." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This reminds me that the work of the evil one is very subtle and his end desire is the same - to draw us away from the love of God. If we fall into this trap through forgetting to honour God and to make God a priority, then I guess the devil is succeeding in his mission. What do you think? Am I being to simple-minded about this quote?

Psalm 88:12 - "Can the darkness speak of your wonderful deeds? Can anyone in the land of forgetfulness talk about your righteousness?"

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Forget it

I stumbled across this lovely piece of writing today and I wish I could acknowledge the author, but they are unknown. It is about the power of 'Forgetting' or perhaps, 'choosing to forget' things that are hurtful and remembering things that are uplifting.

Forget each kindness that you do as soon as you have done it. 

Forget the praise that falls to you the moment you have won it. 

Forget the slander that you hear before you can repeat it. 

Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer, whenever you may meet it. 

Remember every promise made and keep it to the letter. 

Remember those who lend you aid and be a grateful debtor. 

Remember all the happiness that comes your way in living. 

Forget each worry and distress; be hopeful and forgiving. 

Remember good, remember truth, remember heaven is above you. 

And you will find, through age and youth, that many will love you.

May God bless you with the gift of 'forgetfulness' for those things that have hurt you in the past and may God grant you the gift of Memory for those things that make you feel Blessed.

"Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead." - Philippians 3:13

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Forget it

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:13-14

Sometimes we need to make a conscious effort to FORGET the past in order to PRESS ON towards the future. 

What is holding you back?
What things in your past are stopping you from moving into your future?
You is reminding you of your past failures and not letting go of those mistakes?

God has called us heavenward, in Jesus Christ, and we need to push on towards that goal. Let us resolve to ignore the voices of the past, so that we are not distracted from the ultimate goal.

Living in Grace
D3LM3