Stopped-up toilets, clogged drains, and arterial build-up all involve troublesome blockages. Systems designed to have free-flowing contents are hindered by such obstructions. Using blockage as a metaphor for what clogs our hearts from full functioning, how can we go about clearing clogged pipes?
My Mysterious Mind
In my previous post I wrote about the garbage accumulating in our hearts and minds, focusing on how that stench might elicit repulsive reactions from people nearby. For this message, which is related to the garbage one, my emphasis will be on what we hold inside of ourselves, rather than on other people. The metaphor for this message is plumbing, with a view to the cardiovascular system. Blockage, whether in pipes or arteries, creates problems with healthy flow within.
Clogged pipes can be frustrating; clogged blood vessels can be deadly. In either case, the blockage needs to be cleared so proper flow can be restored. A clogged drain prevents the dirty dishwater from moving out. A plugged artery or vein can cause tissue death of part of the heart or total heart failure and subsequent death. A blood clot in the leg is quite painful; the same blood clot in the brain or heart can be fatal. In all cases, blockage is bad.
As a metaphor, blockage can represent those offenses to which we are clinging. Unable or unwilling to forgive, a grievance is trapped inside of us, restricting the full functioning of our emotions. This brings to mind traffic congestion, like what I experienced yesterday on my way home from work. An extra 15 minutes were added to my trip because of a stalled vehicle on the right side of the highway, with traffic needing to merge left to make room for the tow truck and police cars. I made it home eventually, but the blockage slowed down everyone on the route.
Similarly, blockage caused by unresolved offenses doesn’t cause life or emotions to stop completely. Instead, such obstructions prevent the full and abundant flow of our feelings, especially those of love and joy. Being clogged constricts the ability to enjoy rich, full relationships. What causes such blockage, and, more importantly, how can we clear those clogged pipes inside of our hearts?
Message of Mystery Acres
Running the length of our property, down in a ravine, is a wet-weather creek. When the spring rains come there is water, but the rest of the year it’s usually dry. During the summer, the dry creek is a fun place to search for interesting rocks and stone tools. After the fall season the streambed is dry but covered with a layer of leaves. The first rains to collect in the stream will be clogged as the leaves gather at narrow points. A fun spring activity is to clear the clumps of leaves to release the flow of water. A strong enough flow of water will do the work, but it’s enjoyable to help release the flow, listening for an increase in the babbling sounds down the way.
When my husband and I were shopping for a piece of property my criteria included “water that made a happy sound.” I would have loved to have found a place with year-round happy water, but this place called to us for other reasons. I’ve come to love the seasons of the creek. The active rush of water in the spring after a good shower, the freshly washed path of rocks through the summer, the layering of leaves in the fall, and the hibernating calm of winter waiting on the return of spring.
The message of Mystery Acres is one of free-flowing water, unhindered by decaying piles of leaves. Clogged streams cannot make happy sounds. Which makes me wonder where my life might be stuck and the happiness of my life stifled. Where might the decaying remains of the past be blocking the fresh flow of today’s joy?
Ancient Mystery’s Voice
“Forgive us our sins as we forgive the sins of others against us.“ (See the Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6: 5-13)
The most famous prayer in the Bible is the one Jesus gave to his disciples when asked how to pray. Matthew recorded that prayer in the sixth chapter of his book. Most of the phrases are similar in their simple object-verb structure, including, “Give us our daily bread,” “Lead us away from temptation,” and “Deliver us from evil.” Two phrases have conditions or modifiers. The first is “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The second is “Forgive us our sins as we forgive the sins of others against us.”
The Bible talks a great deal about forgiveness. That makes sense because sin is what separates people from God and the death of Jesus paid the penalty for that separation, allowing an unholy, sinful person to be made holy and restored into relationship with their holy God. This payment isn’t paid by any ordinary human, nor could it be, and nobody must earn God’s favor in applying the free payment to their sin debt.
However, here in the very prayer given to people by Jesus, is a conditional statement of forgiveness. Making it personal, the prayer might say, “release me from the debt of my sin against You, God, just like I release other people from the debt of their sins against me.”
A couple of verses after the Lord’s Prayer, Matthew wrote these words of Jesus:
“For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their offenses, neither will your Father forgive your offenses.”
Luke captured something similar in the sixth chapter of his book. He quoted Jesus as saying, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).
Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, wrote: “If you have a complaint against another, forgive that person; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (see Colossians 3:13)
There is a mystery here, captured in these Ancient Words, a mystery that compels us to pause and carefully consider the significance of the message. There is a connection between the flow of God’s forgiveness to a person and that person’s forgiveness of others.
A fully forgiven heart is completely forgiving.
The way the Bible speaks of blockages is as though the flow of love, if blocked by unforgiveness, stops the flow of forgiveness elsewhere. I don’t believe our salvation is dependent upon our forgiving someone else, that would make salvation conditional, which it isn’t. The blockage isn’t life-ending, just life-limiting. The obstruction doesn’t cause spiritual death, but it does bring spiritual darkness. Wherever, in our hearts, the forgiving power of love isn’t reaching, that part of our hearts is dead.
Ancient Mystery’s voice challenges each of us to examine the places in our hearts where we are holding onto grievances we have against someone else. Such blockages are restricting the flow of life-giving love from the Father through us to others. Perhaps it’s time to clear those clogged pipes.
Living in Mystery
What does it mean to live in the mystery of blockage, clearing clogged pipes in our hearts? First, we have to watch for signs of restricted flow of love. Pause for a few minutes and consider who in your life you are having trouble feeling love? Look for bitter attitudes or harsh critiques you have of the things they do. What is the offense or grievance you might be holding against them?
Next comes the tricky part, removing the blockage. Much like seriously clogged pipes need a professional plumber and blocked blood vessels need a cardiac surgeon, you may need someone else to help you clear the congestion from your heart. Ultimately, you probably need the Great Physician, Jesus, to come to your aid. Getting His help is as simple as saying, “Lord, I need Your help forgiving [name]. I cannot let go of the way they have hurt me. Please help me release the offense I am holding against [name].”
And before you push back against this by suggesting the other person doesn’t deserve your forgiveness or they haven’t asked for it, let me assert two things. First, you don’t deserve the forgiveness you have received, nor do I. Second, holding onto a grievance is hurting you more than it is hurting them. Let it go.
I could elaborate, but the simple message is the most straightforward. Clear your heart of grievances against others so you can have a better flow of love to you and through you. Forgive others as you have been forgiven. Don’t rely on your own ability to do this. Ask for help from the One who forgave you.
Connecting with Mystery
Dear Lord of All Mystery, I confess to holding offenses in my heart against others. Help me to recognize more deeply the wonderful way in which You have forgiven me. May that realization compel me to open the flow of forgiveness from me into the lives of others, including those who have hurt me or someone I love. Thank You for coming to my aid at the cross, paying the debt my offenses against You had incurred. Help me have a forgiven heart that can freely forgive. Amen.
Notes from Dr. Mac
If you want to do your own investigation of any of the scriptures I use, I suggest you go to Bible Gateway. This free online version of the Bible allows a search of words or phrases in various translations. I suggest you ponder the Lord’s prayer in Matthew, including the verses immediately thereafter, chapter six, verses five through sixteen.
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