A couple of months ago, I had the thrilling opportunity to go to the concert spectacular, Winter Jam. Being the first real show that I've ever been to, it would be safe to say that I was absolutely floored to be able to see the likes of brilliant Christian artists such as Francesca Battistelli, Chris August, The Sidewalk Prophets, The Newsboys, and David Crowder Band in concert. If you ever get the chance to go to Winter Jam, it's well worth the $10 at the door for a night full of inspiring, encouraging music.
One of the first artists to take the stage was the incredible, multi-talented Chris August. From my seat a few rows back, it was such a neat experience to hear him belting his praises to God out on the stage. I have to say that I love his song, "Starry Night," and that it was one of the songs that I was most looking forward to him singing that night. Speaking about Chris August, there is this great, new song by the vocal artist that's been hitting the radio waves pretty hard lately.
The song that I'm talking about is "7x70," which references Jesus's response to a question about forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-22. When Chris was asked by his producer to write a personal song for his album, he immediately reflected upon what had pained him as a child. August was initially hesitant to pen the lyrics to this song, because of his own unwillingness to forgive those who had hurt him in the past.
In his own words, he recalls his thoughts while writing the song and the lessons that God's been teaching him through the experience. "God has called us to forgive. It's one of the most difficult things I've had to do, but it was also one of the most freeing things. With forgiveness comes healing. Satan uses the bitterness that we build up in our hearts...[to keep us from experiencing true joy in Christ.]"
A couple of Sunday mornings ago, our Bible study group talked about ways that we can lose our Christ-like joyfulness. Some of the ways that were brought up were giving in to our own selfishness, not being content, not trusting in God's providence, and having an unwillingness to forgive. Constantly harboring bitterness in our hearts towards others is one of the easiest ways for us to lose track of our joy. This last one really spoke to me, because I've had a hard time letting go of grudges in the past. I know that it's my own selfishness coming into place, and that I, as child of God, am called to forgive.
Really. It's amazing to think that Christ died with the weight of all my sin on His shoulders, in order to forgive me of everything I have and will do. And still, I have had a hard time letting go of petty little grudges. What selfishness. So what if it seems like someone almost constantly does me wrong? I sin every day against God, and still "He is faithful and just to forgive [me of my] sins and to cleanse [me] from all unrighteousness." Since I've been forgiven to the "Nth degree," there's no reason why I should withhold forgiveness from others. This said, I will not let bitterness rule in my heart, anymore.
If you are dealing with unforgiveness in your own life, I encourage you to let the grudges go. Freely forgive others just as Christ has forgiven you.
I will forgive. Unconditionally. I will love others without reservation. I will not let my joy in Christ be compromised by my selfishness, my discontentedness, my distrust, or my own unwillingness to forgive. From now on, I will not be robbed of the true joy that I have in Jesus, my Saviour.
Have a listen. Here is Chris August's new song, "7x70."
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