Psalm 51:6-7
6 You desire truth in the inward being;[a]
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
When I was a child, one of the most painful lessons that I learned was how to apologize. Usually when I made a poor choice, my first thoughts were trying to justify the behaviors or words that were not so good. I can even remember my own arguments, “I only said that awful things because she look at me a certain way,” as if a perceived look can make okay being rude or cruel. Even now, it is tempting to not create narratives in my head to make my own choices okay when deep down I know that they weren’t.
One of the gifts that we can offer to ourselves and God is honesty. Being true and honest with ourselves, even when we are ashamed or disappointed in the things we have thought or done, is a great place to start. Once we are honest, we can seek forgiveness, learning, and healing. If we continue to live in a spin of truth, we only sell ourselves short of God’s grace and limit the healing power of God in our lives. And, we limit how we are called to change and grow. In order to be the best servants, an honest journey is the best path for indeed God wants us to be truthful on both the outside and inside.
Prayer
God of truth, help us to be honest with ourselves. Even though looking at our thoughts and actions in complete truth can be difficult, you invite us again and again for us to grow in you. Thank you for your call to wisdom and our unconditional forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Amen!