Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: TRUTH (08/31/23)
-
TITLE: Help Wanted: Truth Required CONTINUED | Previous Challenge Entry
By Linda Lawrence
09/06/23 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
A phrase from Psalm 106 spoke to my shame over having lost my temper with my troubled friend, Paula. “. . . At Meribah too they angered the Lord, causing Moses serious trouble. They made Moses angry, and he spoke foolishly . . .”
Since fellowship with each other needs transparency, gulping, I chose to pray out loud. “Lord, please forgive me for responding angrily to a friend. I failed to reflect your holiness. Please don’t let her think you are an angry God.” Later, I learned others prayed for me and my friend, guessing who that was.
I could have kept this sin hidden but I’ve recently come to understand that bringing our sin into the light, that is, exposing it, not only brings cleansing, but true fellowship with each other.
I’ve never fooled myself and said I was without sin but others have thought more highly of me that they ought because I haven’t always brought my sin into the light where they could see it.
I’m turning eighty this month and desiring more than ever to be walking in the light of God’s presence. The light—knowing, seeing, believing the truth—is God’s perspective. It matters not how I see myself, how others see me, but how God sees me.
Much of my life, I saw dimly. Understanding darkened because my eyes were bent towards ‘self’. Then during my Jubilee year—a year filled with light and joy and peace, my Heavenly Father spoke to me. Lift up your head. I see you in all the glory of being made in Our image, without sin. And yet, I sin. My anger with Paula is one obvious example. But Jesus, my Savior, calls me to Himself to assure me that He covered my sin with His own righteousness. Walking in that light, eyes bent on Jesus, I no longer practice sin, but practice the truth—the glorious truth of forgiveness and grace!
Paula phoned again this week to tell me how angry she was about my rudeness when I hung up on her without saying good-bye. That was the truth. I couldn’t deny it. I apologized for being rude but explained that she made me so sad that I cried, afraid my anger would harm her if I’d stayed on the phone.
“Well, you make me angry too. You hurt me and that’s why I don’t want to be with people. I don’t want to talk to you anymore. I don’t want to be friends anymore.”
I’ve been told before that sometimes I hurt people more than I help, so I needed to accept that and not defend myself—and was given the grace to do so.
“I’m really sorry, Paula, that I failed to show you Jesus’ love, because He loves you even more than I do. I hope you’ll be able to forgive me because I’ll always be your friend.” The call ended with a sad good-bye from each of us.
But, two days later Paula called again. “I didn’t know I made you cry. You didn’t tell me. I’m sorry I made you sad. We both did things wrong. It wasn’t just you. I’m sorry . . . “
I interrupted her in my eagerness. “Paula, Paula, I forgive you! Will you forgive me?”
“Yes, we’re both human. But I can’t be around humans right now. I’m more comfortable with animals. I wish I was a cat or a dog . . . “ Being bi-polar is nothing Paula asked for, but there it is. However, she’d been given the grace to apologize and forgive!
This conversation ended with her promise to call me when she was ready to be with humans again, and my assuring her that Jesus and I will always love her and welcome her.
Confessing what is true is painful. Confessing what is true is also healing. It restores our fellowship with each other and enhances our fellowship with God. Truth sets us free to enjoy one another’s presence—and the Lord’s pleasure.
I John I:7; John 8:31-32
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
