Today’s
Bible Study held a difficult passage, and we did not finish that
passage: “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; lead
us not into temptation, but deliver us from the πονηρου
[degenerate|calamitous|diseased|culpable|derelict|vicious|malicious|etc.]”
where πονηρου is an adjective with the meanings that
follow in brackets. I did not include them all, but I think you get
the idea.
It
hits me particularly hard because no one has ever taken the time
to show me what I am to do when a congregation—leaders
included, and in its entirety—has been sinning against you
and, refusing to acknowledge and repent of their
sin, insistently heaps the blame back on you. When you are the
victim—and not, as slandered, the perpetrator—and
confrontation has no hold, how is one to find peace, and joy, and
victory? What is one to do? Have I not suffered long enough, Lord?
Truly.
Largely,
I held my tongue, waiting for the Guiding Light of the Holy Spirit to
intervene with illumination, conviction, wisdom, and grace; and for
me, finally, after all these years of suffering their wounds in me,
peace with God. I am not the Sovereign One, so I cannot bear their
cross, nor would it be right for me to try, as that is not my place,
but Thine alone. Amen!
