"If you don't FORGIVE sins, what will you do with them?" -John 20:23.
Forgiveness. There are certain things and people that are easier to forgive, but the one who hurts us deeply or intentionally... Maybe it's not a struggle for you, but for me it's a daily battle to not hold onto other people's words or insults. It gets pretty heavy and messy when we hold onto what others have done or said to us. When we don't forgive, we can grow bitter, depression can set in, anxieties and grudges grow. We are called to forgive everyone. And, when we do forgive and let go there is freedom. Healing doesn't happen in the mess of what is not forgiven. The verse before this says "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive someone's sins, they are gone for good". And although forgiveness is often a journey for us to work through, the moment we do forgive, the sin is gone. It's not there. It doesn't define us. And like the song below declares,
"You met me at the sinners table
I found You waiting by the well, unexpected
You are always there
Tracing all my steps"
And that is beautiful. It's not the work of you or me but is because of the redemption found in the cross.
Light up the way of Your heart
Move me like You do the mountains
Move me like You do the wind
And I'll chase Your voice through the dark
Fix my eyes on the unexpected
In the wonder of Your shadow step
So take another step
You met me at the sinners table
I found You waiting by the well, unexpected
You are always there
Tracing all my steps
I found You waiting by the well, unexpected
You are always there
Tracing all my steps
Light up the way of Your heart
Move me like You do the mountains
Move me like You do the wind
And I'll chase Your voice through the dark
Fix my eyes on the unexpected
In the wonder of Your shadow step
So take another step
Move me like You do the mountains
Move me like You do the wind
And I'll chase Your voice through the dark
Fix my eyes on the unexpected
In the wonder of Your shadow step
So take another step
You never left the lost forsaken
Your mercy paves the road ahead, unexpected
You are always good
You are always good
Your mercy paves the road ahead, unexpected
You are always good
You are always good
Light up the way of Your heart
Move me like You do the mountains
Move me like You do the wind
And I'll chase Your voice through the dark
Fix my eyes on the unexpected
In the wonder of Your shadow step
And I won't be afraid
In every way, You never fail
So have Your way, here God
And I'll sing Your praise
Fix my heart to Yours
Ready for the unexpected
Ready for what You will do next
Move me like You do the mountains
Move me like You do the wind
And I'll chase Your voice through the dark
Fix my eyes on the unexpected
In the wonder of Your shadow step
And I won't be afraid
In every way, You never fail
So have Your way, here God
And I'll sing Your praise
Fix my heart to Yours
Ready for the unexpected
Ready for what You will do next
I can't explain Your heart
Or dare to trace-out all You are
But when I think about the road You took for love
I know Your grace will stay the path
Or dare to trace-out all You are
But when I think about the road You took for love
I know Your grace will stay the path
Light up the way of Your heart
Move me like You do the mountains
Move me like You do the wind
And I'll chase Your voice through the dark
Fix my eyes on the unexpected
In the wonder of Your shadow step
And I won't be afraid
In every way, You never fail
So have Your way, here God
And I'll sing Your praise
Fix my heart to Yours
Move me like You do the mountains
Move me like You do the wind
And I'll chase Your voice through the dark
Fix my eyes on the unexpected
In the wonder of Your shadow step
And I won't be afraid
In every way, You never fail
So have Your way, here God
And I'll sing Your praise
Fix my heart to Yours
Ready for the unexpected
Ready for what You will do next
So take another step
Songwriters: Joel Houston / Michael Guy Chislett
Shadow Step lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group
