Monday; March 17

Are we looking for ways to simplify our lives? Interestingly, one way might come from a surprising place. What would happen if we just admitted when we were wrong? I have noticed that when I make a mistake, things can get complicated in a hurry. Typically, my first thought is to try to come up for a way to justify why I did what I did. I will evaluate mistakes from a variety of directions just to see if I can excuse why I did what I did. If I am not successful in this logic, then I have to find a way to explain away what I did – often to people who really don’t buy into my logic. When I can’t think (and talk) my way out of my error, then I invest in trying to find someone to blame. Even if it was my mistake, it has to be someone else’s fault. I may have done wrong, but someone else led me into it. If we think it is tough to explain our way out of error, it becomes even tougher to convincingly pin the responsibility on to someone else.

Life is tough enough without having add layers; so why don’t we just do ourselves a favor and admit our mistakes. When we are willing to say, “I did it”, “It was wrong” and “I am sorry for what I did”; things can return to normal much more quickly. None of us need to pretend we don’t make mistakes – no one will believe us anyway – so let’s confess what we did and move forward. When we do this, we can hope that the people around us will forgive us, but we can know for sure that God will. The Bible reminds us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9). Now, isn’t that easier than trying hide from it?

Think About It!

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday; November 29

The biblical story of the Good Samaritan has changed our world. Notice I didn’t say that it had change religion or even Christianity, it has influenced the world. There are very few people who don’t know the moral of Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan. In fact, the phrase has become a common description of everyday people doing good to their neighbors. While Jesus’ parable from Luke 10 shares several spiritual lessons, one of the most practical is that good can be done by anyone. You don’t have to be a church official to do good, it is not only possible for each one of us to help, it is required of all of us. If a Samaritan can be good, so can we! After presenting the parable, Jesus asked the man who had originally asked the question about being a good neighbor which character in the story was a good neighbor, “… he said, ‘The one who showed mercy toward him.’” at which point, the discussion from theoretical to personal, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” (Luke
Read more

Thursday; January 12

The other day I was watching a television show that used a rather common term applied to overcoming challenges. When organizations experience unexpected setbacks – especially when they lose key people – they rely upon the concept of “Next Man Up”. In essence, when our starters (or stars) go down, effective organizations rely upon their next levels to step into the vacancy. While this is an effective response, have we given much thought as to how we prepare to be the “next people up”? First, we must know our job. Even when we aren’t the primary players, we need to be preparing ourselves to be ready when we get the opportunity to shine. Second, we must do our best when we get the chance. Knowledge is important but what turns potential into talent is effort. Yet, maybe the most underappreciated aspect of this concept is a willingness avoid excuse-making and whining about the unfairness of our situation. When we complain about the circumstances that caused the need for replacements
Read more

Monday; September 25

When I was a youngster, I remember hearing about this thing called the Generation Gap. I was a little bit too young to be active in the social movements of the 1960s, but I do remember listening to the challenges the generations were experiencing way back then. Interestingly, now that I have been on both sides of the aging process, I have to admit that the Gap of the 1960s was nothing new. With the development of each generation comes conflict. The young people don’t feel like the older people understand them and the older folks tend to believe their input is being underappreciated. Too often trust is the casualty when two generations collide. The sad thing is that it doesn’t have to be this way. When we can capture the innovation and energy of the younger folks and harness the wisdom of those who have been around for a while we can develop a winning combination. No, we won’t always see things eye-to-eye nor will we necessarily speak the same emotional language, but when we app
Read more