Mar 9 - "Good for the Soul"

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. -- Hebrews 12: 1-14
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Does God require us to confess our sins? Is there something holy or spiritual that happens when we bow ours heads and come face to face with our actions which have hurt ourselves or others?

This season of Lent is a time of reflection and preparation for what we know is to come; the conviction, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the time when we orient ourselves towards the recognition, praise and thanksgiving of this most gracious gift. One death in a perfect sacrifice which paid the debt of our sins...past, present and future...and saved all of us from death.

This time of preparation causes me to think about other ways we prepare for various events and occasions. In my extended family, we are in the process of preparing for yet another baby coming into our lives! Niece or nephew #15 for Greta and me; grandchild #10 for my parents and child #3 for my sister...will be born into our family sometime before we celebrate the first day of May. How is my sister and her family preparing for this arrival? They are moving furniture around, painting, cleaning up, removing any obstacles which would not allow their new baby to be easily and wonderfully received into their family and household.

Through confession of our sins, we prepare our hearts and souls in this same way. When we confess and repent, we remove the obstacles that can get in the way of having a relationship with God. How many times have you said to yourself, "I don't deserve His grace...I don't deserve His love. I have sinned too much and am not worthy of His forgiveness." Let me tell you, brothers and sisters, you ARE good enough because God made you as His perfect creation. Christ died on the cross so that you might be fully forgiven...not because of things you do or going to church or being a good person...but because He already paid your debt in full.

When we are angry or feel hate for someone because of an offense, don't we feel that burden, that obstacle which prohibits us from a relationship with that person? When we do something wrong, can we not feel the wall which is put up between us and others or us and God?

God does not "require" us to confess our sins. God does, however, want, us to confess our sins because, by dealing honestly with our transgressions and putting them aside, we clear the way for receiving the full measure of grace and love which has already been given to us via our relationship with Christ Jesus. God wants us to confess our sins because he wants to be in relationship with us. Confession removes that wall and prepares our hearts for being filled with the love he brings to us. All we have to do is push our sin aside by the simple act of confession and repentance.

So, be good to your soul. Confess the thing you have done; do not be owned by it...but own up to it. For by tearing down the wall of guilt, anger or hurt, you open yourself up to the gift already given, a perfect love and grace which refreshes, renews and brings you peace.