not welcome here

“our sinfulness runs so deep that a tepid measure of gentleness from Jesus would not be enough; but as deep our sinfulness runs, ever deeper runs his gentleness.”

~ gently and lowly

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shame, guilt, fear. human emotions that override truth more often that we want to admit. the enemy likes to take confession and obedience to the Lord's calling and twist it- making us believe the lie that our sins are too great to be overcome by grace.

just the other day I felt myself slipping into the lie that the things that I struggle with and the way I was created make me unworthy of love. make me unworthy of community. the enemy will do anything to get us isolated, away from the voices that pour out truth over our lives. he loves to get us away from God's gentle voice, yes, but he also tries his very hardest to separate us from the accountability and genuineness of God-ordained community.

confession is beautiful, and gives freedom from the hold that sin has on our minds. this is the truth, but as much freedom is given by the grace of the Father, the enemy will try to double in shame. his hope is that this shame will serve to divide you from earthly accountability, and prevent you from moving forward with a renewed mind and clean conscious.

it takes complete humility and complete courage to confess your struggles to another human. it's hard, and without correct understanding of the purpose for confession and accountability we are bound to believe the lies the enemy whispers in our ear the second words of confession come out of our mouths.

let's just get these lies out in the open, shall we?? here are some I know I hear- "they're judging you." "you were too vulnerable and now they're going to run away." OR how about this one: "they have no reason to care about you or your struggles." ouch. the enemy will do ANYTHING to make us believe these lies to be truth- he wants nothing more than to tear us away from the people the Lord gave us as a representation of His love and grace here on earth.

those we turn to to hold us accountable are just as imperfect and in need of persevering grace as we are. without the Lord as the common denominator, accountability will never be what He created it to be- an arm around the shoulder walking with us down the straight and narrow, gently tugging us back to the path when our feet stumble off the side. true accountability exists out of a place of love, not a place of judgement. as "perfect love casts out fear(1 John 4:18)," the fear of judgement by others is no longer allowed to have a hold on us. the Father seeks to replace this anxiety with the confidence that we are wholly loved by Jesus and the confidants He has given.

the Lord, in His goodness, provides people who love Him and love us. who want to speak truth over and into us when we struggle. He gave the gift, we must choose to embrace it. choose to see the earthly eyes watching how we walk through life as the closest stand-in for the eyes of God on imperfect earth. not to shame, but to help. lovingly remind of the way of life the Father calls His children to.

so the next time that shame tries to creep in after sharing a piece of your life that might not be the most beautiful, remember the gifts of trust and reliance that the Lord has given us with community. never easy but always worth it- with community rooted in Christ there is freedom, and with freedom fullness of joy in our Savior!

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"Therefore confess your sins to each other

and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

~James 5:16