Misguided and Mistake
I have made some bad decisions in the past because I was misguided and mistaken. Some of them I must take complete responsibility for. Some of the other decisions were based on the information that I had at the time and the information wasn’t complete. I have regrets on bad decisions that were made because looking backward, my vision is 20/20. When my bad decisions only affected me, they were easier to forgive myself. When they affected others, I’m harder on myself.
I had a thought this morning about the religious leaders of Jesus day. I wonder if some of them accepted Him as Savior and Messiah later in life. I wonder what those conversations in heaven would be like. The highest religious leader of the Jewish nation condemned the long-awaited Messiah to die because he was misguided and mistaken. Check this out…
60 Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 61 But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
63 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? 64 You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”
“Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!”
65 Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away. (Mark 14:60-65 NLT)
When learn that I’m misguided and mistaken, I must own it and do my best to make it right. There are times I need to ask for forgiveness from another person or persons that were harmed in my misguided decision. It’s often easy to sit here and condemn the religious leaders and accusers of Jesus when I’ve been guilty of “slapping” Him with my choices or behavior.
I’m learning to seek the Lord’s direction in EVERY decision I make. I want to bring honor to the Lord, not shame. I want to lift Him up, not pull Him down. I want to repent and own my misguided and mistaken decisions regarding the Lord. I want to walk closely with Him to avoid going there again. I want to hear Him guide my steps and my decisions. I need His counsel and His insight because He is ALWAYS right. A repentant heart is a moldable heart. He forgives my mistakes and my misguided decisions. Sometimes the consequences remain, but forgiveness is instant. I’m so grateful for His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and restoration after my misguided and mistaken decisions in my past.
Pressing On!
Dwayne