I want to talk today about truth that could change the world overnight if we believed it.

How can we not believe truth? Because we choose what we believe. Even in the face of undeniable proof, we still deny truths that we do not want to believe. Truth that is inconvenient or uncomfortable. Truth that requires too much of us.

To what truth am I referring?

“What goes around comes around.”

It's a common saying and I don't mean to sound flip. There are, after all, dozens of other ways of expressing this truth. Perhaps you like one of these better:

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Be careful what you send into the life of another for assuredly it will return to your own.

Make your words sweet today, for tomorrow you may have to eat them.

Judge not that you be not judged.

By your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

Just as you want people to treat you, treat them the same way.

I could go on and on, but I'm sure you are beginning to grasp the truth I'm talking about here. Now, whether we hold on to what we grasp is a whole `nother story. I can't help you there. I have troubles enough holding on to the truths that come my way.

You see, when we or those we love are wrongly treated, judged unfairly, hurt, put down... we want to fight back. Parents especially want to fight. When someone hurts our children, it does not matter if that child is three or 33, we want to fight back. And when someone uses us to hurt our own children, it is almost unforgivable.

But guess what, another truth comes into play when that happens.

“Forgive, if you would be forgiven.”

Other ways of saying it:

Be merciful, just as your Heavenly Father is merciful.

Do not condemn and you will not be condemned.

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.

Pardon and you will be pardoned.

How? How do we do it? How do we forgive and love and pray for those we'd rather see dead or humiliated or miserable?

Ask the mother who faithfully writes letters to the man in prison who has been convicted of killing her only child. Ask the father who regularly visits the grave of the young one whose life was snuffed out by the speeding teen. Ask the young man whose pregnant wife died in an automobile crushed and mangled by a drunk driver. Ask any parent whose child of any age has been damaged by another in any way.

My daddy always said anybody could do or say anything to him and he could take it in stride, but let someone hurt his child and that was another story. But in the end, as he grew in Christ, and neared his final days, he learned to let go and let God.

So, how do we do it? How do we forgive? How do we let go, and let God?

Just do it. Humbly, with broken hearts and spirits, we bow before the one who misses nothing. In prayer we praise Him for what has been, what is, and what will be, knowing with what faith we are able to hold onto that all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purposes. And we remember with humility the promise, “'Vengeance is mine. I will repay,' saith the Lord.” And we tremble because we know He keeps that promise.

How? How do we know? Because if we live long enough we see it play out time and time again, more smoothly than the most perfect performance ever to hit Broadway. The simple truth is God never misses a thing. Truly, what goes around comes around. It's one of the laws of the universe. One He set in place a long time ago. I don't think He even has to lift a finger now. We do it all to ourselves.

Practically every major religion teaches these truths of which I speak today. But we just don't get it, do we? And while I'm talking about truth. I might as well remind myself, and you too, that more battles have been won by prayer than by all the armies who ever fought, or all the lawyers who ever stood in a courtroom.

If something's really bugging you today, talk to the Supreme Court judge of the universe who sees and knows all. In due time, He always answers the appeals that come before Him.

But remember, due time means His time, not my time or your time.

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