I recently entered a conversation between a leader of a Christian organization and a volunteer. The leader admitted to, and apologized for, “a failure to communicate and provide clear direction.” But, his contrition ended there. After profuse excuses for his failure, he said, “Well, maybe this isn’t the job the Lord has for you.”
My jaw dropped. If facial expressions were any indication, the volunteer’s heart went into A-fib.
Is that where we’ve arrived? Instead of humbly accepting responsibility, and leaving it at that, we blame God or the person He’s provided for the job?
Long story short, thank God this situation has been rectified. But here’s what God’s word says: …“a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” (Ps. 51:17b)
The original word for contrite, conterere, means to grind or to bruise. When we offer an apology without a change of heart (repentance), our words sour within us. The healing that should come from contrition and humility instead produces more bruising. For everyone involved.
So, why do we hold onto what we need to release … what would immediately free us and promote healing?
If the church is a hospital for Christians, are we getting any better?
Do we allow guilt and pride to block our ability to humble ourselves? Ouch! Yep, that includes me.
When King David was confronted by the prophet Samuel, the king’s immediate response was contrition. He didn’t balk, hem or haw, or make excuses. No doubt David’s sin with Bathsheba ate away at him. His severed relationship with the Lord, something he’d never before experienced, tormented him. He wanted freedom from his shame and guilt.
The words David penned in Psalm 51 have been a model for repentance for Jews and Christians alike. Hear his heart as he cries out to God for cleansing; for God to move in His unfailing love and compassion; and his desire for God to create a clean heart in him.
I pray that the contrition David showed, the longing he expressed to the Lord, and the forgiveness and peace he enjoyed will rest on each of us today and always.
By Amre Cortadino
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Amen! Thanks for stopping by, Valerie!
We always have to look to ourselves first when we think someone else has done wrong or not measured up…a great reminder!
I love that God, in all His wisdom, provided the right words at the right time for us!! Oh, how He loves us!!!! 🙂
Psalm 51 is a place that I turn to often for comfort. Thank you.:)
Amen!! Thanks, Dave! 🙂
Awesome!! That’s the best and only way to speak love!!! Thanks, Robby! 🙂
Speaking the truth in love. That was the feeling I had as I read your blog post. Thank you.
One of my favorites goes, “If I’ve offended anyone…”
Lord, help us. Make us real.
Amen!!! I love your mom’s advice!! Thanks for sharing that, Colleen!! 🙂
An excellent way to say that, Don!!! Thank you!! 🙂
God’s words were “light bulb” moments for me too! Wearing humility fits perfectly with the Armour of God!!! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Pam! 🙂
God is so good to give us what we (me!) need at just the right time!!! Love and hugs, Mary Pat! 🙂
I love God’s reminders to us – they bring amazing results!! Thanks for stopping by, my friend! 🙂
Thank you, Amre, for reminding us of how important contrition is and that it should always be surrounded by humbleness.
Oh, this is so good! The Lord’s been speaking to my heart via our pastor’s sermons about contrition. Keep speaking the good word, girl. You rocked it!
Thanks Erma,
? Pam
Thank you for starting backstage of the story and walking through the door of truth with me!
Unfortunately, this situation, and many worse experiences have happened to me within Christianity. I’ve encountered it so often that, when I see or hear preachers or religious leaders, I automatically think that they are narcistic, arrogant, biblically illiterate, and crave control. Our church leaders are brazen about their personal agendas, and I’m sad that the church has descended so quickly into disobedience.
However, I don’t want my words to “sour within me,” and I want to stay humble as you mentioned. This post helps me remember that! Thank you!
Forgive, Believe, never Deceive if you want to Achieve, or you may not be Received. Fibbers become Sinners.
I have been on the receiving end of apologies with no contrition. It is easy to detect those kinds of apologies. But the sincere ones, the ones that come from a convicted heart, a humbled heart, those are the ones that stick, that heal.
My mom always advised: Keep short lists. Make amends where needed. And mean it! A humble heart is God’s heart. He’s molded it for us, and with the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we can do the same.
Thanks for stopping by, Deena!! 🙂
Thanks for speaking the truth in love, Amre. Blessings to you.