Friday
1 John 1:8-9, Luke 18:13, Luke 15:2, and James 5:16a
A Moment of Introspection
“If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9
How was your day? I usually don’t think much before answering: “just fine” or “OK”. But what if I take just a moment of introspection and answer the question? Or what if I answer the question just between God and me in a quiet moment of reflection at the end of the day?
Rewinding the day, focusing on what I thought, said and did, I start to get in touch with myself. When my lunch companion was texting and our conversation lagged, I was annoyed and hurt. I replied sharply to a question asked over and over by a colleague who can’t seem to remember. I envied the ease with which a friend does a task that to me is so hard. The safe distance of being “out of the moment” provides me with an opportunity to observe myself. In a quiet moment, I see a broader context.
With distance, I see both my humanity and the humanity of those I encountered. The text invites us to confess, be honest, not judge, not feel guilty, not relive the anger, not multiply the self-loathing; the text doesn’t even require us to repent and change our ways. We are asked just to confess, just be aware. And redemption is promised in that awareness. In that moment of introspection, we can find our compassion, our patience, and our forgiveness for others and for ourselves. And we are cleansed.
Compassionate Lord, you have given us everything we need to have a good day. Through moments of introspection, lead us to even better days through a greater awareness of your loving presence. In Christ we pray, Amen.
Jane McGuire
1 John 1:8-9, Luke 18:13, Luke 15:2, and James 5:16a
A Moment of Introspection
“If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9
How was your day? I usually don’t think much before answering: “just fine” or “OK”. But what if I take just a moment of introspection and answer the question? Or what if I answer the question just between God and me in a quiet moment of reflection at the end of the day?
Rewinding the day, focusing on what I thought, said and did, I start to get in touch with myself. When my lunch companion was texting and our conversation lagged, I was annoyed and hurt. I replied sharply to a question asked over and over by a colleague who can’t seem to remember. I envied the ease with which a friend does a task that to me is so hard. The safe distance of being “out of the moment” provides me with an opportunity to observe myself. In a quiet moment, I see a broader context.
With distance, I see both my humanity and the humanity of those I encountered. The text invites us to confess, be honest, not judge, not feel guilty, not relive the anger, not multiply the self-loathing; the text doesn’t even require us to repent and change our ways. We are asked just to confess, just be aware. And redemption is promised in that awareness. In that moment of introspection, we can find our compassion, our patience, and our forgiveness for others and for ourselves. And we are cleansed.
Compassionate Lord, you have given us everything we need to have a good day. Through moments of introspection, lead us to even better days through a greater awareness of your loving presence. In Christ we pray, Amen.
Jane McGuire
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