Let it Go

"Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept." -Genesis 33.4

Twenty years ago Jacob tricked his brother out of both his birthright and blessing. The last we knew Esau had vowed to kill Jacob as soon as their father died. Jacob fled, but God has told him to return, and has passed the covenant of Abraham on to him. But this covenant has come with the words, "Go back home." Everything has led up to this moment. Finally, after all this time, and all the events, the twin brothers come face to face.

Esau runs to him and embraces him. The two of them reunite, and revenge couldn't be farther from the picture. Esau has let it go. He values his brother more than any birthright or blessing. It's been twenty years since they've seen each other, and the only thing on Esau's mind is making up for lost time.

Men, what are you holding on to from the past? What is so important about this grudge you're holding? Is the revenge you seek really worth it? How many relationships have been lost because of a lack of forgiveness? How many memories have been forfeited because you've clung to the past? How much growth has been stunted because you haven't let it go?

I need to point out, forgiveness does not mean what happened was ok. Forgiveness does not mean that what happened didn't hurt. Forgiveness does not give the person permission to do it again. But forgiveness says I don't hold this against you, and I don't allow myself to be imprisoned by this anymore. God will have justice, don't worry about getting even. But if you seek to become like Christ, holding on to the wrongs against you, or that you've committed against others, will greatly slow you down.

Esau isn't the only one to let it go, Jacob does do. He has humbled himself before his brother, seeking forgiveness and mercy. He doesn't beat himself up over the past, but seeks to reconcile it and move forward. And Esau, who could have taken revenge instead offers the forgiveness that is being sought. They both have let it go.

What are you holding on to? Something that you've done? Something that was done to you? Why can't you let it go?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor