Forgiveness

   Being a spiritual leader begins at home.  If not, we do not have any right whatsoever to be spiritual leaders anywhere else.  Our relationships in our homes must represent Christ.  If they don’t, we have our priorities wrong.  If we put the work into loving our families the way we are told to, the world would flocking into our churches and ministries. 

   Ministry is relationships and our most important ministry relationships begin at home.  Christians have been given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-21) to let the world know that God aggressively wants to restore the broken relationships that people have with Him.  He offers forgiveness.  To be a spiritual leader, you have to be a true example of being a person of forgiveness.

   How forgiving are we with our spouse and children, other family members?  Perhaps the most difficult people to forgive are those closest to us.  How well do we hold on to or give up grudges?  When your children or family member embarrasses you because they publicly did something that does not speak well of them or your family name, is it easy to forgive or does grace fall short in your attitude toward them? 

   If you have been abused, there is a greater process that you need to go through to be able to eventually forgive.  You may come to the point of forgiving, but being unable to trust the abuser ...