When reading the lesson for the day, Ezekiel 39:25-29,  the phrase, “Forgiven but not forgotten,” comes to mind.   We don’t erase the memory simply by saying words of forgiveness.  Images and feelings are carved into the memory of both our mind and the cells of the  body and they casually reappear, often when we least expect it or when feel we are most prepared for them to come. So the phrase, “They shall forget their shame,” from verse 26, really is quite striking.  It begs the question, “how?” and  maybe it even inspires a “want some of that” feeling, and, “Wanting some of that!” I am right there with you. Even when I cannot explain how I can alleviate my mind from the images of harm I have caused.

But maybe that’s the point,  I can’t heal myself by myself. I can’t be healed without reconcilliation of the broken relationship. I can’t be healed nor can my neigbor in isolation. As the other old saying goes, “It takes two to tango.”   But if it is the “tango” that got us into this situation, do we neglect the dance or a varied form of it to get us out? I think often we do. We become resistance and say I don’t like change, dig in our heals, a refuse to learn how to dance with new vision and boundaries and awareness. 

This new dance however is reconcilliation and its steps are brought to us by God, and I dare to proclaim, “Through the dance God leads us in, it is the joy of moving to the music of grace, that makes us forget.”

Let us pray Lord of the dance, help us to be overcome with your ability to lead. Sweep us up in your music if grace. Keep us so focused on you that we forget the shame and harm we have caused and being honor to your name. Amen.

Advent challenge for the day. Read Ezekiel 39:25-29. Take a photo or imagine the theme: forget. Then share #messiahlutheranpc #signs4life #AdventPhoto