The Secret to Living Free
Tributes to Nelson Mandela fill the news. People around the world celebrate his accomplishments and grieve his death. Some said, “The whole world loves Mandela.”
You may not agree with Mandela, much less love him. While he was instrumental in bringing needed changes, I don’t agree with him either on many issues. However, He demonstrated one lesson that we all need to learn and practice. If we could live out this one thing, it would lead to greater peace in our families and in the world—even within the body of Christ.
The young Mandela was very angry. He was angry at apartheid, at injustice, at the way he and his people were treated. He became well-known in the fight for freedom from apartheid. He would probably be called a terrorist today. He ended up in prison.
He hated those who imprisoned him. He said he lived on hatred for 11 years.
But during his 27 year imprisonment, Mandela changed.
After being released, Mandela was elected president of South Africa. Instead of having them murdered, Mandela chose to embrace the very people who held him captive and whom he hated for years. He invited his jailors to attend his inauguration, and placed pro-apartheid opponents on his cabinet.
Bill Clinton became a good friend with Mandela while they were both presidents of their respective countries. Consequently, news sources have interviewed Clinton to gain insights into the man, Mandela.
One time, Clinton asked Mandela, “Didn’t you hate those men that imprisoned you for 27 years?”
Mandela told him that after living on hatred, he realized that his enemies could take everything away from him except his mind and his heart.
He said, “Those things I would have to give away.” He chose not to give them away, and he sought better ways to live.
Mandela determined that as long as he held onto his hatred, he would not be free. Consequently, he chose to let it go. He didn’t want to remain in bondage.
His choice to forgive allowed Mandela to trust his former enemies and to work together with them. He put the past behind him and worked for the future, by including and cooperating with those who had imprisoned him.
I believe the reason Mandela is a hero today is because he chose to forgive. Otherwise, he would not be a symbol of hope that is loved and revered by multitudes. Instead, he would be known as an angry man who stirred up conflict and strife.
Not all of us have lived on hatred for 11 years, but we been wounded by others. We must decide what we do with our anger.
For us, like Mandela, it is a choice to forgive, to let go of the hurts and differences. We must decide to put the past behind us, in order to live today and move on into the future. If we don’t, we will be in bondage to those we hate. We will be tied up with animosity and resentment.
Your sphere influence may not be as wide as Mandela’s, but your choice is the same. Your decision, if genuine, affects your actions and thus influences those around you.
Will you cling to the past and remain in bondage?
Or will you let it go, find freedom, and make a positive impact in your world?
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