1 Corinthians 7:10-11, “To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband… And a husband must not divorce his wife.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-5, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
In today’s age of instant gratification and delivery on demand, we have whatever our hearts desire at our fingertips. With one simple click, our order is on the way — and if we change our minds, we can just as easily hit “cancel.” While it’s no big deal to have a sudden change of heart over a recent purchase, many of us are guilty of having this same mindset when it comes to relationships. We’re conditioned to believe that if someone offends us in any way, we should hit the cancel button. But shouldn’t that be the last resort instead of our first response?
In today’s reading, Paul wisely advises the Corinthians to remain steadfast in marriage, and this instruction carries over into other relationships as well. Too often, we handle disagreements and offenses with knee-jerk reactions influenced and encouraged within the current cancel culture in which we live. We choose to avoid rather than communicate; we “ice out” the very people we profess to love instead of seeking reconciliation through giving and receiving forgiveness.
When we recognize that we are all flawed human beings and ask God to help us hit “send” on grace, we put Christ’s love into action. After all, God so graciously did that for us, so shouldn’t we do the same?
Today, resolve to reconcile! Refuse to click “cancel” on close relationships. Order extra love from above and choose to hit “send” on extra grace.
Reconciliation often requires courage. This week, consider the canceled relationships in your life. Is it time to extend grace? Start with a simple text or phone call to break the ice.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for not clicking the cancel button on me. Although my actions were offensive to You, you loved me enough to grant me Your amazing grace. Help me have the courage to initiate reconciliation rather than cancel meaningful relationships. In Jesus’ name, Amen.