Good Monday morning (3-15-10),

I’ve been reading Max Lucado’s Daily Bible and finding wonderful insights into familiar scriptures. Recently he wrote something I want to share. It has to do with confession.

“Ask yourself two questions:

1. Is there any unconfessed sin in my life? Confession is telling God you did the thing He saw you do. He doesn’t need to hear it as much as you need to say it. Whether it’s too small to be mentioned or too big to be forgiven isn’t yours to decide. Your task is to be honest.

2. Are there any unsurrendered worries in my heart? The German word for ‘worry’ means “to strangle”. The Greek word means “to divide the mind.” Both are accurate. Worry is a noose on the neck and a distraction of the mind, neither of which is befitting for joy.”

That simple wisdom struck deep. I began pondering what the Bible has to say about confession…which is plenty.

Lucado’s lesson focused on the burden of carrying around things we really need to give to God. Our great privilege, as children of God, is that we can exchange our burdens for rest. But how often do we take advantage of that gift, that incredible birthright?

Concern for future needs permeates our church culture. Out of my own mouth, as well as during conversations, I consistently hear expressions of worry. They sound like this:

“I sure hope I’m going to be able to make those payments.”

“Well, God is good. But I’m concerned about this flu going around. I can’t afford

to be sick again.”

“I’m afraid if I don’t ______, then _______ will happen.”

“If ______ is elected, I may not have a job.”

Legitimate concerns…for people with no Heavenly Father. But when God tells us He will shelter us beneath His wings, that no plague will come near our tent, that He will never leave us or forsake us, that He will bring all things about to our good, that if He is for us then who/what can be against us…what does He mean by all that? Does He mean it, or does He not?

Is He able, or is He not?

I need to go to confession. I need to get alone with my Father and tell him the things that are burdening my heart and my mind. I need to unload them at His feet, turn over the bag and shake out all the crumbs, and then leave the pile there when I exit the prayer closet.

“Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” 1 Peter 5:7

But there is an entirely different category of confession found in the Bible. James tells us to “confess your faults to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” It’s only after that admonition that he writes, “The earnest prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available.” James 5:16.

Could it be that confessing my faults is necessary for healing? Is it possible that no man can pray an earnest prayer, a prayer of much power, until that man has confessed his faults to his brothers in Christ?

Oh dear. The truth is that I’d much prefer my faults remain hidden. Okay, I understand God knows what they are. But I’m much more comfortable believing my friends and family don’t know.

And this is the heart of the problem. It’s called pride. God knows us so well. He knows that confession really is good for the soul…because willingness to admit we are wrong, or that we messed up, or that we lost control…that willingness means we have to swallow our pride.

It seems to me that regular confession would accomplish two things: I’d work doubly hard not to do something that must be confessed, and my pride would finally be broken into smaller and smaller chunks so maybe, just maybe, humility might have a chance to sprout.

For my own good, so that worry doesn’t divide my mind and strangle the joy from my life, I need to confess my cares to my God and let Him give me His yoke that is easy and His burden that is light. I can do that.

But, also for my own good, so that pride doesn’t gain ascendency, so that I can be healed and pray powerful prayers, I need to confess my faults to my friends and my family. I need to be quick to admit my shortcomings, adept at coming clean about my failures.

I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. That means I can do this, as well.

“If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-10

Laurie Gross