“Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another
human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”
In our sermon yesterday, we dove into the concept of admitting our wrongs...or in the Christian tradition- confession. Confession has been a vital component of growing closer to God and others for as we confess, we release the toxins of our soul and open ourselves to healing.
Healing is multifaceted...healing has to do with restoration. The goal of healing is to bring restoration to our lives and relationships. Too often, it seems that many miss this and build walls towards others rather than bridges.
Yet in this step we are encouraged and charged with releasing those parts of us that we may have hidden for years or have thought we could hide for ever. We are invited to bring to light that which has been done in the dark.
And the best news is that we are enabled to do this because of God within us. We contemplated on this quote yesterday...
"God does not love us if we change, God loves us so that we can change." Richard Rohr
How does the above quote help your perception of God?
Secondly, why do we try to avoid confession? If you have practiced this act of the soul, what was your experience?
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ReplyDeleteWhat tough questions!
ReplyDeleteWhy do people avoid (real) confession? I can only speak for myself, but my thoughts revolve around my own life experience. I have been raised (taught) to be an individualist and rely on myself. This very nature creates a tension within, and is relative to my perception of survival in "this" world. The bottom line is if we reveal our inner-self to others, we become vulnerable to those who may take advantage and use it against us (do I also see another conversation about trust here or is it the same?).
I will go out on a limb as a person with many human deficiencies (and absolutely open to discussion). As I have thought about the discussion regarding confession, Matthew 6:5-6 immediately comes to mind:
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Can I not confess (open my heart) to God and ask Him to remove my burden of past inequity?
Mr. Rohr puts the conversation into a context of relationships. What would happen in our lives if we truly understood that God loves us no matter what--whether we're skinny or fat, healthy or unhealthy. In other words, learn not to judge but to accept each person as they are.
"God does not love us IF we change, God loves us so that we CAN change". (And for some reason we always seem to pick the former over the latter approach). God's great plan has always been salvation, not a "worthiness" contest.
It was not meant to be easy, right?
Soli Deo Gloria!
Very well thought out Dennis! Thank you for your thoughts and honesty...that may be the toughest part of walking this journey with Christ and one another- to trust others realizing that at times others may fail our trust. Yet, God has entrusted us and even in the midst of our failings, God continues to forgive and trust some more! Thanks be to God!
ReplyDeleteJesus said to bring him the children. We, as adults, were are also instructed to be like children. But age (life) has hardened us and we built walls, where the innocence and trust we had as children is locked up deep inside. I can still remember how easy it was to volunteer answers in class until about the sixth grade, then the "once bitten twice shy" became the norm for fear of answering incorrectly (peer pressure not teacher pressure). The door is open...but very narrow!
ReplyDeletePeace be with us.