Own It
I think it has become very natural and normal for me, over the years, to blame someone or something when things don’t go as I planned them. For example, I’m a pretty bad golfer. In fact, I call myself a “hacker”. I’m not necessarily proud of this, but I’m not willing to take golf lessons or play 3 times a week to really improve. I don’t blame my clubs, or the course I’m playing. I don’t even blame my friends I’m playing with. It just is what it is. I’m learning to take responsibility for things I can manage and let the rest be what they are. I can’t control other people’s reactions or moods. I am learning to navigate relationship a bit better since I don’t blame them if they don’t like me. I can’t control people who don’t like me anyway.
James speaks plainly in his book about humility, repentance and a host of other subjects. I read a passage that I thought was about humility, but it also has a lot to do with repentance. Check this out….
7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:7-10 NLT)
The simplest definition explanation of repentance is “own it”. I must accept responsibility for my life choices. I must also accept the consequences that come with my choices. When I review my life, I realize that for a long season, I blamed everyone except me for my circumstances and choices I made that put me here. I’ve made decisions many years ago that were a mistake then and the consequences continue on even today.
I want to come before the Lord in humility and seek His heart of forgiveness for my self-centered thinking and living. I want His help in making good life choices that bless others and reveal a heart that belongs to Him. I want to stay humble with a repentant heart before the Lord today and every day. I want to take ownership of my choices and surrender all of them to Him.
Pressing On!
Dwayne