Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
Why is it so difficult to say the words "I'm sorry"? Or to own up when we've done something wrong? It's human nature. You think about a child. No one has to teach that child how to hide the fact that they did something wrong, or that they were disobedient. It comes naturally. That's what we're going to talk about today.
We're going to read out of Lamentations chapter 3, and we're going to read verse 40 and it says, "Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord." This chapter as a whole is one that's kind of challenging to read, because it reflects the suffering that Israel experienced based on their disobedience. Anytime I'm reading something like this, it also makes me really, really grateful for the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for all of my mistakes, because I know I deserve everything that they experienced in this chapter.
At the same time, Jeremiah (who wrote this) takes verse 40 to reflect on the redemptive power of God's love.
The Call to Accountability
Reading it again, he says, "Instead, let us test and examine our ways and let us turn back to the Lord." This verse right here is what accountability and redemption should look like. It's turning to the Lord and allowing Him to reveal to you where maybe you're not necessarily getting it right. That's a really challenging thing to do.
I also want to just take a moment and acknowledge the fact that I know people are listening to this that have not heard the words, "I'm sorry." Maybe you've been wronged by someone like a parent or a loved one, or someone that you trusted in some way, and you haven't heard those words "I'm sorry." Maybe you never will. I just want to say to everyone listening and feeling that way: I'm sorry for whatever you've been through. Only you and God know the cost of it and the weight that you carry. I'm really sorry.
That's what pride does. That's what the cost of pride looks like. All at the same time, Jeremiah is reminding us that when we let go of our pride and reach for the Lord and allow God to reveal to us where we need to turn, there's freedom in it.
The Courage to Ask
One of the scariest things we can do is to ask God to show us ourselves. "Lord, show me myself. Show me the areas that I need to turn in. Show me the areas that I've had blind spots and that my wife hasn't experienced the husband that she deserves, or my kids haven't experienced the father that they deserve. Show me, me." That's a scary thing and it requires a lot of courage.
That's my challenge for everyone today. Maybe we should pray and allow God to show us the areas we need to turn. Again, it requires a lot of courage. But be brave because there's freedom in it. There's love on the other side of it.
The Power of Apology
A second challenge is maybe you're the person that needs to say, "I'm sorry." Maybe there's something you've done wrong and you haven't owned it yet. You don't necessarily know the level of freedom and healing for someone else when they're hearing you ask for forgiveness and say the words, "I'm sorry." You don't know how God will use that but I do know that there's freedom on the other side.
Be brave today. We're praying for you.
