My Actifit Report Card: January 28 2024, Sunday.

Every Sunday, like clockwork, our family heads to church. It's a routine we cherish, a time for us to come together in faith and community. Today was no different, except perhaps in the profound message that resonated with us, delivered by Pastor Petrus. His words today focused on a simple yet powerful theme: To experience God's power in our lives, we must be ready to acknowledge our sins and to forgive.

The pastor began with a truth that is often hard to swallow: no one is perfect. We all make mistakes, we all falter. The Bible, in Romans 3:23, echoes this, reminding us that all have sinned. But the crux of Pastor Petrus's message was not about the act of sinning - it was about our response to it. He urged us to acknowledge our sins, not to hide them.

To illustrate his point, he shared a compelling story. A thief stole jackfruit and, after enjoying his stolen prize, buried the seeds to hide his deed. But, as nature would have it, the seeds sprouted into a tree. This simple story profoundly illustrates that no sin stays hidden forever. The pastor emphasized the importance of being honest in front of God, of admitting our wrongs instead of concealing them. It's a brave act, he noted, to face our sins head-on, but it's the first step towards experiencing the true power of God in our lives.

Pastor Petrus then steered us towards another crucial aspect: forgiveness. He explained how holding onto grudges ties us down, preventing us from experiencing true freedom. In his words, "As long as we do not forgive, we remain shackled by the chains of sin." He stressed that forgiving others is not just an act of kindness towards them, but a crucial step in our own spiritual journey, a condition for our prayers to be answered by God.

The most touching part of the sermon was a personal story shared by Pastor Petrus. His own brother, once estranged and seriously ill, lay in a coma with no visitors. Despite the pain and anger Pastor felt towards those who neglected his brother, including a fellow church elder, he chose the path of forgiveness. This decision wasn't easy but was transformative. He visited the elder's home, extended an olive branch, and what followed was nothing short of miraculous. His brother not only woke up from the coma but also rediscovered his faith in Christ, eventually passing away in peace. This powerful testimony was a vivid illustration of the healing power of forgiveness, not just for others, but for ourselves.

The essence of Pastor Petrus's sermon boiled down to a simple yet profound choice: acknowledging our sins and forgiving others. He concluded with a compelling thought: if we choose not to confess and forgive, we block ourselves from the full experience of God's power in our lives. This message strikes a chord, especially in today's world where holding onto grievances seems easier than letting go.

As I reflect on today's sermon, I am reminded of the power that lies in our hands - the power to change our lives and the lives of those around us through acknowledgment and forgiveness. It's a challenging path, no doubt, but one that leads to true freedom and spiritual growth.

Let's take these words to heart and strive to be more open, honest, and forgiving in our daily lives. It might just be the key to unlocking a deeper, more meaningful connection with the devine.