Maybe it’s always been this way, or maybe I’m just more aware of it these days, but it feels like the last thing we want to do is admit when we are wrong about anything. We think the world will collapse if we admit we were on the wrong track and now we’re shifting gears.
This plays out on the world stage but also in coffee shop chats, business meetings, relationships, schoolyard bullying, you name it. It’s like it’s more acceptable to stick to our guns or pretend something never happened than it is to say (to ourselves or anyone else) “oh, I got that wrong, sorry,” or “hmm, I was only thinking of myself there.”
In Sunday’s scripture Jesus begins his public ministry by saying “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Repent … take a minute, have a little think, reflect on the action, the words spoken, the step down the wrong path, the hurt caused and … repent. Have a talk with God, admit to the icky feeling and ask for help to make a different choice.
How daring in a world where we dig in our heels to say “wait a second, I’m sorry I wasn’t really listening.” Or “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Or, “why do I keep doing that to myself?”
“Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Aka let’s ready ourselves for the kingdom of heaven by being okay with not getting it right all the time and then being okay admitting that and changing our way so that we grow closer to God.
Blessings
Julie.