I really haven't thought about that before... but there is a difference between regret and repentance. When you confess something to someone, are you confessing because you regret it.... or because you repent from it? That's an interesting thought, don't you think? It's one that came up in a devotional I read this morning.
Remember Lance Armstrong? Remember that for years he denied all the doping charges and he won - wasn't it 7 races? Finally, the evidence stacked up enough that when he went on Oprah and she asked him if it was true, that he had been using body-enhancing drugs..... and he said yes. For the whole world to hear. Finally. The beginning of the end of all he stood for.
But was his confession one of regret - for getting caught..... or was he repentant that he had done it? Ah... that is the question, right?
When we get caught with our hand in the 'cookie jar' (however that may look), when we say "I'm sorry", are we sorry we got caught.... or are we sorry becaues we did wrong (when we were told to stay OUT of the cookie jar?)?
It has gotten easier sometimes to just say "I'm sorry" and think that will satisfy the one to whom we are saying it to. A spouse, a child, a friend. We say "I'm sorry" when we have hurt someone. We say "I'm sorry" when we misunderstand someone. There are different ways we say "I'm sorry".
When was the last time you told God "I'm sorry", and meant it?
The slang some have used over the years of "sorry, not sorry" just came to mind. What exactly does that mean? I'm sorry I got caught but not sorry I did it? I'm sorry I hurt you, but I'm not sorry because I feel justified in what I did? I'm sorry you don't like my behavior or something I said, but I'm not sorry because I don't really care what you think.
Does that make you stop and think this morning? When was the last time you said "I'm sorry" - and meant it? When was the last time you truly regretted doing something? When was the last time you confessed and repented of something you did?
When was the last time you were honest with yourself?
Hebrews 4:13 "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
Guess what makes me think twice (sometimes) before I do something? You have heard about all those clouds of witnesses up in heaven who watch over you?
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) "Therefore, since we are surround by such a great crowd of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us."
That means, in some cases, mom or dad is watching you. Grandma and Grandpa who prayed so diligently for you is watching you. People you admire and love and respect, are watching you. And I think about my daddy and my grandparents watching me and the things I do and the things I say.... and I admit, sometimes I am ashamed that they would see that in me. When I think about them - let alone Jesus watching me! - I am truly repentant.... but sometimes I find myself doing it all over again. Words can say repentant, but until it is in the heart and mind, it is difficult for repentance to truly come.
I do know that I don't want people watching me when I do something I shouldn't. I mean, I sneak (I truly do!) into our cookie jar at times because I don't want hubby's eyes watching me and his mouth commenting on it. I'm over 21, I don't need permission to get in the cookie jar! I have to hide sometimes when I want a piece of candy. I don't like being watched!
So with this great crowd of witnesses watching me (they don't care I eat that cookie!!), I am more conscious of what things I choose to do. I try to be kinder, truthful, and obedient. I may say things that others don't want to hear, but if they are truth, they need to hear them. Disappointment in people happens, but that is because we are human. I don't believe that God is disappointed in us for not following Him, He is sorrowful because He knows that He can bless us beyond all imagination when we give our lives to Him. He will give us clarity of mind, He will direct our paths, He will keep us in the palm of His hand. Our name is already written there. The Bible says so. And I choose to believe that if God said it in His Word, then it is true.
Isaiah 49:15-16 (NIV) "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands; your walls are ever before me."
Think about your plans for today.... will they be things you will be regetting by end of day? Will you feel a need for repentance of what you've done or said? Or will you be able to say "It is well with my soul".
Who is watching you? In life, it is our children, our families, our friends. In heaven, it is those who love us and have gone before us.
Blessings!
