Waves of swirling temptation crashed over Sandy’s mind as she tried to stand against a desire to pretend she’d forgotten to include a video in the training segments her company used. But it wasn’t just any video, it would display her error for all to see. Her boss thought everyone would appreciate the learning tool, but Sandy didn’t want them to learn from her.
After a restless night she couldn’t hide the bluish bags under her eyes or the grouchy snap when asked a question. Midway through the morning, Sandy finally made her decision…she’d schedule the video into all training sessions with new hires and for the quarterly manager’s meeting. The mistake was hers — and so were the consequences. Embarrassment was a small price so she could maintain integrity.
The letter U in Teshuvah represents the act of undercutting temptation. In the Jewish philosophy, you must say no to lesser sins to avoid crossing deeper and deeper boundary lines.
Often, we justify a small step over thin lines, and when no lightening strike occurs, nor do we experience any other large crash, we go further. A layering effect allows us to ultimately do things we never believed possible. Justification and getting away with lesser hurts swirl into muddy choices destined to bring pain for us and others.
After all, sin is just that, something that hurts us, hurts other people, and finally hurts God.
Tomorrow, Sandy will show us how to validate our godly sorrow for the pain we cause. The waters begin to clear when we show what we tell.
What’s the most embarrassing mistake you’ve had publicized? In hindsight, can you find anything to be grateful for?
Mark 14:38 (NIV)
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Anita Agers-Brooks is a Business Expert, Certified Personality Trainer, Communications Specialist, speaker, and writer. She lives in Missouri.
Contact her via www.freshstartfreshfaith.org or anita.freshfaith@gmail.com
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