reconcilliation

5:21-26
So if you are coming to the altar with your gift and there you remember that your brother has a grievance against you, leave your gift right there in front of the altar and go first and be reconciled to your brother.

It is so amazing how obvious and simple he makes this sound. Yet we find this so complex and difficult. We can find dozens of reasons and excuses for not doing this. We have become experts at avoiding reconciliation. Rather than reconcile we divorce, divide, leave, shun, reorganize, blame, lie, and ignore. We would rather lose what we have than admit that we are wrong, weak, selfish or mean. We equate humbleness with weakness, saying I sorry with losing, and not getting our way with failure.

The first time I really experienced how important this is, I was only 8. I had been playing with my dads tools (a no no) and broke my dad's steel tape measure. I tried to hide it, but he found it right away. When asked about it, I knew I had to admit my guilt so I said, " I broke it". My dad got very angry, spanked me and sent me to my room. Later he came to my room and said, "I sorry I lost my temper. It wasn't fair when you admitted your mistake. I overreacted." I was stunned. I had never had an adult apologise to me before. That he could humble himself to do that, when I knew I had wronged him, still amazes me.

How many of the problems in our church, our community, our nation and world could be avoid by do this simple and obvious act. I know it takes two to tango, that we can't do it by ourselves, but even if we were successful only have the time it would make a huge difference.

Father, help me to see that being the first to take the step toward reconciliation is not weakness, but strength. Help me to listen with my heart and my mind, so that I may consider others and avoid the need to be reconciled. Thank you for taking the first steps to be reconciled with me.

Amen