With the messes I’ve made

A guilty conscience is not always a good thing. Guilt can paralyze you. It can make you want to avoid and evade God, put off praying, and find other things to do on Sunday morning.

Sometimes, though, you just get tired of making excuses, blaming somebody else, or minimizing the evil you’ve done. Sometimes you just can’t stand carrying that load any longer and want to be rid of it. It’s time to come home to your heavenly Father and be honest about the messes you’ve made: “Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good” (Psalm 25:7).

Notice the attitude of the person praying: 1) humble tone; 2) confession of personal responsibility; 3) appeal not to one’s own worthiness but to the Lord’s love; 4) trusting that God’s goodness and mercy will have the last word over his anger and judgment. These are the great gifts of Christ our Savior, and they are given for free. Forgiveness from God has double power. First, it relieves the pressure and dread. Second, it strengthens your spirit with the Spirit. You have new incentive to clean up some of your messes and repair damage. You kind of like being around God again, and as always, when you are touched by his Word, your life gets better.

Don’t put it off. Come home.