Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 287 – Forgiveness

We have spoken about shalom and flourishing. We have spoken about justice. I would propose the third leg of the stool of hope that allows us to sit quietly and work at our vocation with that inexplicable peace : forgiveness. 

“The sins of the entire world get drowned in the sea of God’s love like a stone thrown into water. So, there can’t be any space for despondency, hopelessness, and despair!” Abbot Nikon Vorobiev as quoted by Martin Shaw in The Angel and The Machine.

In business, forgiveness is often the missing virtue. We speak of strategy, resilience, and innovation, but rarely of the practice that frees us from bitterness, releases others from our judgement, and opens space for genuine creativity. Without forgiveness, hope collapses under the weight of accumulated grievances.

I once had a client who never did pay a huge accounts receivable and treated our staff so poorly. I carried anger for so long. Even though I knew about forgiveness, it was a while before I used its healing balm. I worked with my spiritual director and eventually the long journey brought me to forgive the persons involved directly by calling them and saying the words. But I find this balm needs to be applied repeatedly on every wound and hurt. I also had to ask Jesus to forgive me for my anger and my client for the damage he caused, and then I had to forgive myself. Only then could I fully forgive him and his colleagues.

“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Matthew 6:12

When we forgive, we acknowledge that judgement ultimately belongs to God, not to us. We make space for shalom to grow. Forgiveness is not naivety. It is courage. It is leadership. It is the refusal to let the past have the final word over our work, our teams, or our vision. It frees us. Our sins are cast into the depths of the sea. 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

Prayer

Lord God, You are the One who casts our sins into the depths of the sea.
Teach us to live as forgiven people,  so that we may walk in peace, labour with joy,
and bear witness to Your Kingdom in all we do.

Amen