Boom.
Here we go. This is it.
The cubans and the Monte Cristo’s.
I can see so much falling apart around me.
And this has been weighing me down since it started.
You think you’re hard, you think you’re jacked, and you think you’re it.
Think again. This separates the liars from the soulless and the pansies from the warriors.
This is a double dare.
Here’s a prelude.
I used to hate a lot of people.
I used to be the angriest little dude y’ever did see. I have the worst past anyone could ask for.
I was physically abused as a child, I was fought over, I watched abuse happen right in front of my eyes, I saw and felt marriages fall apart, I’ve been through the most shattering breakups.
I’ve felt the fear of losing my life, I’ve felt extreme abandonment, I’ve felt what it’s like to lose a parent, I’ve felt the walk through the thoughts of suicide, I’ve felt the pointing fingers, and people I sure as hell have felt hatred.
Tangent.
I’m NOT proud of what I’ve done and seen.
I HATE telling people what I’ve been through. It’s embarrassing. These things are NOT things to brag about.
These are situations given to us to experience so that we can share them with others in similar times…
Traveling an unfamiliar path is much more comforting when there are footsteps on the ground.
Tangent, no more.
End prelude.
I’ve felt so much anger and hatred. But.
I’ve felt something that all the kisses in the world can’t touch.
I’ve heard something that screams louder than all the subs and amplifiers in our universe can’t even come close to.
I’ve seen something in a higher resolution than 1080p, bigger than 3D and the Hulk, and brighter than any LED out there.
It’s called Love. Love in the form of forgiveness.
for·give·ness [fer-giv-nis] noun.
Jesus forgave my trespasses in the name of Love.
Those that I’ve committed in the past.
Those that I’ve committed today.
And those that I’m unfortunately going to commit in the future.
He knows I’ve got nothing, He knows I AM nothing, yet He loves me.
Yet what do I do?
I forget that ever-so-life-changing fact and go around holding grudges, hating on people, talking behind their backs, and destroying reputations.
And then I dare to insult Christ by saying I follow Jesus, step-by-step. Fail, Josh. Fail.
Jesus once told a parable.
(A parable is a short, colorful story used to illustrate a point. Kaythnxbye.)
I am not the bible incarnated so if I mix some small details up…you get the rest.)
Begin parable.
There was a man. An ordinary man just like you or I.
Not an Arnold Schwarze-whatever. Just an ordinary guy.
So for the sake of personification, we’ll name him Guy, Ordinary Guy.
Now, Ordinary Guy owed the king a huge sum of money.
And, well, being ordinary and all, Ordinary Guy had no way of paying his debt.
So he appealed to the king, begging on his hands and knees to let his debt go.
The king complied. Ordinary Guy was free.
So Ordinary Guy jumps into his Honda Civic, or whatever other classic faithful steed used back then, and peels/gallops his way home.
When he arrives, he sees his servant and immediately remembers that his servant owes him money.
Relentlessly, Ordinary Guy starts beating him, demanding he repay his debt.
The king gets wind of this and is infuriated, and summons Ordinary Guy to his throne once more.
“I forgave YOUR debt, only to later hear of you BEATING someone to repay YOU?”, the king said.
“If you can’t forgive after I forgave YOU, then you are a wretched thief, a WASTE of my time, money, and good graces.
You are NOTHING more than dirt.”
And with that, the king threw Ordinary Guy in prison.
End parable.
Begin new stage in life.
One day, we will all stand before a majestic throne.
The throne from which was created all that we lay our eyes on today.
And we WILL give an account of our deeds here on earth.
We WILL.
And maybe I’m the sore thumb on the hand, but I do not want to be the guy that has to tell my creator that I couldn’t forgive a slap in the face.
When I MYSELF am the one that piles the dirt on His name and then crawls back, begging for forgiveness.
He died for the one swinging the hand that slapped you in the face, JUST like he died for you.
WOE to you, should you try to bring an excuse to God as to why you can’t forgive them.
God MADE you. He can see through the BS even if I or your friends can’t.
What have you gained by confusing a human being?
That’s like putting rims, a body kit and an 8 inch exhaust pipe on a Pontiac Sunflower.
Then driving it around town with your seat back dropped. No. That was over before it started.
You won’t get along with everyone.
You won’t like everyone.
Because some people are just douches.
They don’t see how they hurt you, nor do they care to fix it.
They just go around doing what they feel is best for them.
So now show me the fine print that gave you a license to hate them.
A license to tear them to shreds with your friends or on Facebook.
Did I stutter? Cat got your tongue? Didn’t think so.
Sorry but we HAVE no right.
I will not sit here and preach and pretend that I’m perfect.
Hi. My name is Josh Wiebe and I’m a drop-dead failure at this.
But I’ve come a long way. And I’m not stopping now. You shouldn’t either.
Because people, I want to see you in heaven.
The strength that matters is on the inside.
People can be so much less or so much more when you see them for who they really are.
So hero, what’s it gonna be?
This life is short my friends.
Make every second count, make every kiss real, make every laugh loud, make every hug a bear hug, and make every word true.
Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another.
Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive.
- Colossians 3:13
Word up, word out!
