Why is it so hard to admit our mistakes? Over the last 30 or 40 years of my life I’ve watched society take on a general attitude of looking for someone to blame when things go wrong. I’ve seen it taught to our children in school. I’ve seen the government teach it from congress and the executive office. I’ve even seen it taught in church and perhaps that’s the place where it’s most distressing.
You see this lack of ownership in mistakes everywhere. In the parking lots at the supermarket for instance – there’s a sign that says, “NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY GROCERY CARTS.” At the laundromat there’s a sign that says, “NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST LAUNDRY.”
At the playground there’s a sign that says, “NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS.” It seems just about everywhere I turn – there’s a sign declaring a lack of responsibility.
What happened to owning our mistakes? What happened to being willing to admit to fault? The Bible tells us to confess our sins to each other, but the world would suggest you put out a disclaimer instead.
When I was little, my mother taught me that making mistakes was a part of living. She told me that when I made mistakes things would go much better for me if I would just own up to it and apologize, take responsibility and start over. She told me she expected me to ALWAYS own my mistakes, but on the flip side, she NEVER wanted me to cover for someone else’s wrong-doings.
She said that Jesus was the only one who was able to do that, and He did it at the cross. She told me that in owning my mistakes, people would be more inclined to believe me when something went wrong and I declared that I had no part in it. Believe me – that saved me more than once as a child and as an adult as people in authority dismissed me as being responsible because I was known for my honesty in owning my mistakes.It seems sad to me and more than a little bit irritating that people are so unwilling to admit fault. Worse still is the lack of strength, character or moral fiber in the man, woman or child who purposefully seeks to find someone else to blame. The days are short, because life is short. Even if Jesus tarries another thousand years to return, our lives are just a handful of years long. So do yourself a favor - live life in liberty.
Do good. Speak kindly. Love fiercely. Admit your mistakes and seek forgiveness. Take responsibility!
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