Hello ,
Rebecca Pippert attended two very different events: a graduate-level psychology class at Harvard University and a Christian Bible study adjacent to Harvard. She offered the following observations on how the two groups addressed (or failed to address) their faults, problems, and sins:
First, the students [in the graduate-level psychology class] were extraordinarily open and candid about their problems. It wasn't uncommon to hear them say, "I'm angry," "I'm afraid," "I'm jealous" .... Their admission of their problems was the opposite of denial. Second, their openness about their problems was matched only by their uncertainty about where to find resources to overcome them.
Having confessed, for example, their inability to forgive someone who had hurt them, [they had no idea how to] resolve the problem by forgiving and being kind and generous instead of petty and vindictive.
One day after the class, I dropped in on a Bible study group in Cambridge. [The contrast] was striking. No one spoke openly about his or her problems. There was a lot of talk about God's answers and promises, but very little about the participants and the problems they faced.
The closest thing to an admission [of sin or a personal problem] was a reference to someone who was "struggling and needs prayer.""The first group [the psychology class] seemed to have all the problems and no answers; the second group [the Bible study] had all the answers and no problems."
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16
Admittedly there are probably people who call themselves Christians who cannot be trusted with someone's failings, but what if our churches and homes were safe places where people could be real about their struggles?
What if people felt that they could be vulnerable in our presence without the fear of gossip or judgmental attitudes? These are wonderful questions to ponder.
Where there is real love, there can also be trust, and trust can help change the world.
Have a great day and God bless!
Pastor Mike / The Open Word
