Big Steps: Love
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Matthew 5:44
Recommended Reading: Ephesians 4:31-32
Cornelia “Corrie” ten Boom was a young Dutch woman whose Christian family protected many Jews during the Holocaust. After the war, when Corrie was released from a concentration camp, she held meetings in Germany, speaking about the power of God’s love and forgiveness. After a meeting, a man approached her, saying he had been a guard at her concentration camp. Since then, he had become a Christian and had come to the meeting to ask for Corrie’s forgiveness. With tears in her eyes, she grasped the man’s hand and exclaimed, “I forgive you, brother! With all my heart!”1
How big a step must that have been—to forgive one who had been part of a regime that took the life of Corrie’s sister and father. All steps of love and forgiveness seem too big at the moment. But none could be as big as Jesus’ step of forgiveness while hanging on the cross (Luke 23:34).
Ask God for His grace and compassion when you are called to take a giant step of love.
Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred.
Corrie ten Boom
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