I live on the edge of the rainforest, every day there's a fight here. A fight for the rainforest's most valuable commodity. Sunlight. Water is in abundant supply but sunlight is almost impossible for seedlings to find. Occasionally a giant tree may fall leaving a brief moment for the most aggressive to dominate but it's a tough fight on the forest floor. One fig wins the battle in a most underhanded way. When a bird or lizard eats fruit from the Strangler Fig some of the seeds get deposited in crevices at the top of huge trees, giving them direct access to sunlight. Over a long period of time the fig sends down fine roots. When they reach the ground the plant kicks into a growth spurt, sending down additional roots and growing leaves. The root network encircles the tree above and below ground, strangling its roots and trunk. The host tree eventually rots out from the fig leaving a twisted hollow reminder of the tree on the inside.

As we journey through life there are seeds of thoughts which are dropped in our minds. Some of those thoughts are aggressive, bitter thoughts. They often stem from real offenses, and may be justifiable. If left unattended, like the Strangler Fig, they overtake and begin to strangle us, cutting off who we used to be. Crippling our lives with bitterness and pain, leaving a hollow, distorted image of who we once were.

Forgiveness gently removes those seeds and their roots. It's not about the perpetrator, it's ultimately about us. Forgiveness returns us to who we truly are. Removing bitterness can be hard work, there's something sickly attractive about it. It just feels good to nurse. Forgiveness is not about saying that what was done was OK, it's about letting love win. Bitterness is like drinking poison waiting for your enemy to die. Put the cup down and begin by simply saying the words "I forgive" If you're faithful to press in, real forgiveness will come and you'll return to the authentic you, nothing could be sweeter.

Some offenses are very graphic, if you find it hard, locate someone who can help walk you through the process.

Thanks to Pastor Greg for the fig tree example.