Courage to Forgive

Working out at the gym is generally not part of my Sunday routine. But, I felt like doing some weight training and so went to the gym. After stretches and warm-up, I started my super-set with incline press and lat pull down. And the next was supposed to be bar-bell bench press and seated row. When I was going to start my bar-bell bench press, I noticed another member (in his late 40s) doing it. And so I waited for him to finish to let him know if we can alternate.

Here’s our conversation:

Me: Have you completed?

Other guy: No.

Me: Can we alternate?

Other guy: Okay, but you will need to do and replace the weights back.

Me: Sure, I’ll remove what I add and you can do the same.

Other guy: No, you have remove and add after your work out and keep it how I want.

Me: [furious and irritated] Sir, that’s not how it works… you’re doing something, I’ll change that for my work out and you do the same for yourself… why should I fix weights for you?

Other guy: Sorry, we can’t do it that way… please check with the gym management…

Me: You go check them, why should I - - I’d rather do my work out on the smith’s machine than to have a chat like this with you.

I didn’t want to lose my warm-up and so did my bench press on smith’s machine. But that conversation totally irritated me, making me think what kind of guy was he. As I was working out, the irritation grew more and more and I was abusing him in my mind. And I felt like going and telling him, I pity your family for the type of attitude you have.

I finally completed my work out with pull-ups and dips. And before I went to give him a piece of my mind, I thought I’ll do 10 mins walk on the treadmill. My mind was contemplating many things that I should tell him before I leave. And, finally at about 3 mins after my walk, the word ‘forgiveness’ came to my mind. I could very clearly sense someone prodding me to forgive him. And so, I did it in my heart and a great thought came to me. It takes courage and strength to fight and win over a person physically, but it takes much more courage and strength to break down your ego and forgive someone and win their heart.

I prayed as I was walking and thanked the Holy Spirit for his counsel. Again, I sensed someone prodding me to get off the treadmill and got talk to that man. Exactly, when I got down, he finished his inclined press and was sitting. I said, “Sir, don’t take me wrong and I’m sorry if you felt offended… I’m going to the church, and I’d definitely don’t want to go like this.” He looked overwhelmed and gave me his hand and said, “I’m glad that you came and I’m sorry too… You see I was a heavy lifter and I generally don’t keep a count of the number of sets I do plus my back hurts a lot if I keep changing weights… I could have told you better but as I was in the middle of my workout, I couldn't speak clearly. It’s really nice of you to come and talk to me. It’s a credit to the Lord Jesus Christ.” I controlled my emotions at that statement and said, “I’m John.” He introduced himself as Raj and we had another few exchanges and I went to shower to go to church.

And as I was walking to the men’s room; the verse that came to my mind was: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Sons of God.” And I said in my heart: “Thank you, Lord.”

Tears of Joy

Crying is an expression of emotion that is least understood by us. We most often associate it with sorrow, but fail to see that it is also the highest expression of joy. Picture a mother who loses her only child in a large crowd and later finds him after her desperate search. The moment she finds her child, she embraces him with tears running down her eyes.

And as I sat back and pondered upon this wonderful expression that God has blessed us with, I was pushed into a deeper level of understanding. Two recent incidents show-cased the impact of this emotional expression.

In one situation, I was really pushed to my wits end with no flicker of hope. And as I pictured its impact, tears welled up and I went down on my knees to say nothing, but to just thank my Lord for the many great days He was pleased to give me.

The following morning, I received a verse from a friend of mine. This is the verse God has been speaking to me with for quite some time now. (Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future). And as I was reading the verse, tears rolled down my eyes expressing an uncontrollable satisfaction that God hasn't missed me out and is faithful to what He has promised.

In another situation, I had a sudden desire to sing worship songs in a group. Nothing that happened that whole day went according to my plan and I even forgot that I thought about something. And as the day was drawing to a close, I walked into the office cafeteria at about 7:30p and one of my good friend's at work mentioned that Don Moen is performing near our office location (at St. Theresa's Church Nungambakkam) - - Don Moen recently came down for a concert last Sunday and I missed it.

My friend and I attended the concert after work - - just when Don began to sing - - and it was a wonderful hour of praise and worship. And just in the middle of when Lenny Leblanc was singing 'Above All', I found myself overwhelmed. I thought how much God loves me that He even fulfills a desire that I myself have forgotten.

These incidents led me through the crests and troughs of emotions, both of which stretched me. But my cry had a meaning only when I cried in His presence when I worshipped My Lord. What a wonderful thing God has given man - - a spirit of worship and tears of joy.