For some of us, Christmas brings out our worst. It causes stress and anxiety, which in turn causes us to… sin. There, I said it - the dreaded word so many of us hate to think about it because "We're good enough." But it’s true: Long shopping lines, busy stores, delayed shipping times, and the unexpected Christmas crisis hits the frustration and nerves just right, and it causes us to act and behave differently. Lately, I’ve been feeling a little less patient myself. Can you relate?
As a follower of Christ, we’re not going to get it perfect or right every time. However, as a follower of Christ, WHEN (not if) we do mess up, sin, or fail, we are called to make it right.
What does that look like? Honestly, it depends on the situation. First and foremost, we should always repent, which just means take it to God and acknowledge the failure. Something like, “Lord, I blew it again! I’m so sorry. Please help me to be more like You. Please help change this part of my heart" is simple enough.
Next, we need to make it right (or at least attempt to) with the person or people we offended. A simple, yet sincere, apology goes a long way.
And lastly, we must absolutely forgive ourselves and in the words of Elsa, “Let it Go.”
The first two require humility. It takes a lot to admit that we’re wrong. But the last one, just like the forgiveness we receive, takes a lot of grace. Grace is the entire reason why Jesus came in the first place. It is why we lean into the celebration of His birth this week.
Friends, I encourage you to take some time this week to lean into that grace we’ve been given, so that when we do mess it all up or sin, we can remind ourselves that “... we are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from ourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-9). It's not about being perfect. It's about relying on the grace that is freely given to each of us.
Have a great rest of the year, friends!
Comments