UNPACK This...Forgiving One AnotherSample

The “Open-Door” Policy

One of the main concerns following the San Antonio Spurs' disappointing 2016 season was the underwhelming performance of LaMarcus Aldridge.

After the team unsuccessfully attempted to trade him during the offseason, Aldridge decided to have a heart-to-heart conversation with head coach, Gregg Popovich.

Aldridge shared with ESPN about this conversation: “It was me kind of being blunt about it, and being kind of forward. He was open to it. I kind of just spilled my heart about how I felt about how things were, and how things had been going. I don’t think he really had noticed [that I was unhappy]. But once I said it, he was great about listening, and it was good from there.”

The open-door policy for players gave Aldridge the opportunity to discuss his role with the team and the reasons he was unhappy. This candid communication between him and his coach helped to clear the air and move forward.

Likewise, honest dialogue with the goal of reconciliation is important in our own relationships. A transparent “heart-to-heart” conversation, filled with humility and forgiveness, allows relationships to mend.

As followers of Jesus, we know how much we’ve been forgiven, so we need to show the same toward others. Also, if we know that we’ve hurt someone, it’s crucial to reach out, seek reconciliation, and try to make peace.

The Bible says in Matthew 5:23-24, “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Today, let’s have an “open-door policy” where honest communication, forgiveness, and humility lead us into deeper and more meaningful relationships.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray You’d give me the strength to have an open dialogue with people so that I can live in peace with them. Please help me seek reconciliation in my broken relationships, and clear the air with those I have tension with. Thank you for the grace You show me through Jesus. In His name, I pray, Amen.