August 17, 2019 -- II Corinthians 3:2-3 -- Big Impact

You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts..

II Corinthians 3:2-3 English Standard Version

Everything you do has an impact on the lives of those who are closest to you. I remember so clearly the time I let “it” slip. A swear word. Our young son was nearby and seemed to be absorbed in some activity or another. I didn’t mean to swear in front of him—in fact, normally I do guard my tongue much better than that. After holding my breath and looking in his direction, he hadn’t seemed to change his level of concentration nor was there a break in his level of actively playing. Phew, crisis averted—or so I thought.

Carolyn and I were shopping a few hours later and our little boy, just a toddler, was seated in the grocery cart in front of us. For whatever reason he decided to call out to the people he met in the aisles. From his perch in the cart: “Hello” he called. And when he had their attention he added the swear word he learned that very morning! Oh, how humiliating. He received a reaction from people and that seemed to prompt him all the more. At that moment he was not a complimentary letter reflecting our parenting skills!

Our passage this morning reminds us that the words we speak, the actions we take, the routines of our day, the way in which we work, the way in which we treat others—everything about us declares our allegiance to Christ—or our drifting from complete faithfulness to that allegiance. When we are careless, it can be at that moment our children, or those over whom we have a lot of influence, can be most impacted. It is so important that the words of our mouth and the actions which flow from our heart display the grace of God to the people around us.

Equally important is how we handle our failures. Inevitably we will make mistakes. Our temper will flair. Or our attitude will be less than kind. Whatever sin we commitment this too is important: “If we mess up, we need to fess up.” That act of confession will have a very big impact on the lives of those around us. Our willingness to admit our wrongs is such a sharp contrast to the world around us, where people will backpedal, obfuscate, or blame others rather than admit their sins. Therefore confession honours the work of Christ. We reveal our need for Him and the glorious impact of His work in us.

With the Psalmist I pray, “create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Forgive me, God of steadfast love, for the ways in which I sin and wander from dedicated commitment to Your ways. There are times when I see my wrong-doing magnified in the lives of those whom I love. Forgive my sin. Polish me so that I will be a better, clearer reflection of Who You are. Fill me with the courage I need to make things right with the people whom I have wronged. Thank You for those who have a holy influence on our lives. Blessed are You, God of Love. Amen.