The Other Cheek: The Backstory

(An excerpt from my latest book, "The Other Cheek")    

Back cover                                                   Front cover 

One of my friends, Ggie, had nagged me about writing a book on forgiveness. “I have a gripping story for you,” she said, dangling a carrot. When that didn’t work, she pricked my conscience, “The number of hard-hearted people is alarming and growing every day. We need to learn how to forgive. As an author, you can help.”   

This went on, with predictable consistency, for over five years.  But each year, I'd write a book on another subject. She might have wondered why I never seemed to consider it—forgiveness being one of the hardest, if not the hardest, acts to bestow upon anyone who had deliberately done you wrong and deeply hurt you.

I have considered it; I have been turning it over in my mind since that day Ggie first raised the idea. However, I met three roadblocks.

One, there are far too many books already published about forgiveness—by authors with more authority than I will ever have.

Two, I could not put a finger on what forgiveness is exactly. Is it saying “I forgive you” or “I have already forgiven you” to someone who has caused you profound pain? Or is it simply moving on, ignoring the wound.

In the Old and New Testaments, there are many illustrations of forgiveness by different  characters in various timelines. Their formats and plots are not the same. Jesus also never spelled out the meaning of the term for us. 

Three, the astonishing, blanket forgiveness that was graphically demonstrated to us on the cross is inimitable. It. Cannot. Be. Matched. Only the Son of God, bleeding and in the throes of death, could spare all evil men with a sweeping statement, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 (NLT)

How can humans even come close to such an immensely selfless act?

During one of my quiet times, while meditating on Matthew 5:39, I sat up and glimpsed a flash bulb. “But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” 

The other cheek?!

This concrete image suddenly nailed it for me, like an “aha!” moment. Forgiveness, instead of hitting back, was mandated by Jesus Himself, and must therefore be humanly demonstrable. I started seeking out real-life stories for affirmation. To my surprise, aside from Ggie’s story, there are many. Too many, in fact, for one book alone. 

So, what does it take to forgive?

From story to story, this book takes snapshots of forgiveness moments among ordinary people in everyday life. These grace moments differ from person to person. But they all happen at that precise, although often imperceptible, instant when we are able to look at the circumstances leading to or surrounding the offense with clearer vision—finally understanding the big picture.

In Scripture, it all boils down to: what offering the other cheek means; what it takes to forgive.

 * * *

The above excerpt was inspired by and based on a  blog I posted last year, when I was still toying with the idea. I did not realize it then, but I was already writing the book's Foreword. And here it is! Grab a copy of The Other Cheek at the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF),  Sept. 11 to 16 at SMX MOA, Church Strengthening Ministry (CSM) booths. I will be there for book signing on the 11th at 3:PM.