I could feel a wave of heat rising up my face as I gripped the steering wheel tightly. I began to mutter frustrations under my breath, and then I saw where the car had turned. The person who had just run the stop sign, nearly hitting me, had turned right into the church parking lot. I wanted to roll down my window and yell something like “You fool!” I wanted them to acknowledge what had just happened, I wanted them to understand their mistake.
As I parked, my frustration turned into anger, but then God intervened. I watched the person get out of their car and realized it was someone I knew and cared for deeply. In that moment, the anger dissipated, the frustration subsided, and I quickly confessed my sins to my Savior. Can you relate?
We sometimes think that leaving our gifts applies only when we are about to take communion or give an offering or even when we arrive at church. However, God wants us to recognize that we are to leave our gifts and go make things right whenever possible. Whether we have committed a wrongdoing or someone else has wronged us, Jesus tells us to attempt to reconcile.
Do not bring your anger as a gift before our Heavenly Father. Instead, honor him by making peace. This is a valuable reminder for us today. If you go on social media, you will see comments that are angry and often hurtful. You will see division among people who should be united. You will see how certain viewpoints distract people from the Great Commission and focus on something that does not contribute to our calling. Thinking about these things makes me realize where I should put my focus and attention.
Jesus masterfully tells us to stop and try to fix things. He knows our hearts and cares so much for us that he would rather have us mend a broken relationship than give a gift in anger. We have a wise and good Savior!
Of course, this is not always easy, but Jesus did many difficult things too. Let’s do our best to follow his words. If you have wronged someone, go make it right. If someone has wronged you, go make it right. Take a moment to read Matthew 5:23-24 and see what Jesus tells you. Praying for you all!
Pastor Jeremy Johnson