March 23, 2016

Admit Responsibility

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. -- 1 John 1:9

A dear friend is heartbroken. Her son -- her only son -- is in jail again. My prayer, and hers, is not for a merciful judge who will hand down a lighter sentence. Nor is it for evidence to make his latest mistake go away.

No our prayer for this young man is that he will come to understand what he has done is wrong. No more excuses. No more pointing the finger at someone else. Because until he looks in the mirror and accepts responsibility for his actions, he will never truly heal and change. Until he admits what he has done and sincerely tries to change, relationships with those he loves can never be fully restored. It is a hard truth.

It is almost natural for our fallen human nature to deny responsibility for anything bad. We deny our part. We make excuses. We dig ourselves deeper and deeper into the abyss. It’s like we somehow think we can fake our way out of it.

But truth always catches up with us. Always. You’ve probably heard that what goes around, come around. It’s a cliché but it’s true. Lies don’t stand the test of time. They are always revealed in the end.

Have you ever watched someone trying to cover up a mistake? It starts with one lie, one bad choice. Denial leads to another lie, then another and another, until the entire episode takes on a life of its own. The person never intended for it all to unfold as it did but pride won’t let him take it back.

There’s nothing wrong with “I’m sorry.” The words “I was wrong” are pretty powerful. But we don’t want to say them. In fact, we’ll do just about anything to keep from saying them.

Except, of course, for those who throw the words out and don’t mean them at all. “I’m sorry” doesn’t mean much when you go and do it again. “I was wrong” loses its effectiveness when your smirk indicates you don’t mean it.

God is faithful to forgive us when we confess and change our ways. But to do that, we’ve got to admit we need to take a different path. This young man has made mistake after mistake, each one escalating in degree as he denied responsibility. It’s easy to judge him but are any of us really any different? We all make mistakes. Admit it, ask for forgiveness and make a different choice.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Light Always Follows Darkness

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. -- 1 John 1:7

Yesterday morning I woke up to brilliant sunshine filling the sky. It was such a welcome relief after the days of gloom and drizzle. Joy filled my soul as I started my day.

Alas, it didn’t last long. Clouds soon erased the light. Cold weather clouds, they said. The temperature started dropping and the gloom returned. My spirit sank. I told myself the weather didn’t matter but, truthfully, it did.

I feel guilty even saying that. We need the rain. I was glad we got what we did and, yes, I know it wasn’t near enough. But it didn’t rain all day. It was just overcast, the sky covered with dark clouds. If we can’t have rain, why can’t we have God’s brilliant sun?

Maybe that’s why I love sunlight so much. It’s warm and welcoming, like God’s light. It draws me toward it and leads me outside so that I can enjoy its many blessings. That’s how it is when I follow God’s light. I get to bask in the many blessings He has planned for me.

The darkness and gloom remind me of all those times I’ve taken a wrong turn. They remind me of the devastating consequences of actions not my own. They remind me of early loss and bitter betrayal. I wrap my arms around my body and remind myself that God is with me still in the darkest of times.

But nothing can ever replace the light. God’s light. Some days I go for a walk, watch the sky and think of our Creator. Have you ever noticed the white clouds swirling in the sunlight? It’s just so beautiful. God is the ultimate artist. I am inspired and awed by His creation.

But that was not yesterday. That day needed a heavy coat, gloves, and a strong persevering attitude to get through the hours. I counted my blessings over and over, refusing to give in. Why do dreary days just seem to take more effort?

Today the weather forecasters have promised sunny skies to contrast the cool temperatures. The sun always comes out after a storm. Like my friend holding her newborn granddaughter or my little cousin being declared officially in remission from the cancer that threatened her life. Light follows darkness.

I don’t know where you’re at in your life right now. Some folks are no doubt celebrating their blessings. Others are grieving and struggling and in pain. For those I offer the reminder that God is with you no matter the circumstances of your life. Look toward Him and you will see a faint light in the darkness. Follow it. As you draw closer to God, the light will become stronger and stronger until you one day find yourself basking in the glow of warm sunlight and realizing you made it through to the other side.

　

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas Is About Jesus

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

-- John 1:1

As I started out the door, my Dad inquired as to where I was headed so early in the morning. "Bible study," I replied. He shook his head. "This week? I'd have thought they'd have canceled it." Yes, well, that's the view of most people it seems.

I'm thankful I attend a church that doesn't cancel Bible study the week we also celebrate Jesus' birthday. I am appalled at how Christmas has increasingly become a retail extravaganza rather than the religious celebration it really is. We're so busy enjoying Santa Claus that we've forgotten that the real star of the day is Jesus Christ.

I'm guilty, too. I love to buy gifts and bake and do all those celebration things. It's only in recent years that I've determined to attend church -- no matter the distractions or guests -- on Christmas Eve. It's just important. It helps focus my mind on what Christmas is all about.

It's about a baby that came to save you and me and to reconcile us with God. He lived a perfect life as He grew, taught and, then, died a cruel death as He bore your sins and mine. Then He rose three days later, defeating death forever. It's an amazing story of love. How can we overlook that?

So, yes, I went to Bible study today. And then I went to a holiday luncheon. And later I wrapped presents. I recently did a painting that showed baby Jesus underneath the Christmas tree. God's gift to us, all wrapped in a manger scene. The first Christmas gift. Emmanuel. God with us. Happy Birthday, Jesus!