Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Today in Sunday School, I taught on wounds. The central theme being that a wound must be allowed to heal. If we rub dirt on it or don't keep it clean then it will get infected and not heal. If it begins to heal and I pick the scab off, it has to start healing all over again.
In society , the wound of slavery and racism had begun to heal in the past few decades, only to have the scab ripped off a few years ago. As it began to heal again, we have seen it ripped off once again and the infection is bad this time.
In our own lives, we may have wounds from past hurts and abuses dating back as far as childhood. Those wounds may begin to heal but the slightest memory or offense lays the wound bare again/
Sometimes these scabs: literal, societal, emotional or spiritual are picked off by ourselves accidentally or on purpose as we throw pity parties or get wounded afresh. Other times someone else may pick them off, as a well-meaning but misguided friend who drudges up the past and showers you in sympathy. Or perhaps from politicians seeking to stir up strife to garner votes as we see in the US Today.
In every case the remedy remains, leave it alone and let it heal. Quit dwelling on it, quit talking about it and don't let your "friends" keep bringing it up. "Matthew 6:14-15 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. "
Wouldn't it be eternally devastating to enter eternity unforgiven because we couldn't stop picking at a decades old wound.....or perhaps a generations old wound
