Uncovering Sin
Scripture: Psalm 51:10-11
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and
put a new and right spirit within me. Do
not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
"...But Ma, she hit me
first.
Tiffney, I don't care who hit
whom first. I have told you time
and time again, do not hit anyone. If someone hits you, I
expect you to tell me or your Daddy...
and time again, do not hit anyone. If someone hits you, I
expect you to tell me or your Daddy...
But Ma...
But nothing... I have spoken..."
When I reflect on this exchange
between my Mother and myself when I was little, I still struggle. As I have matured and evolved, my conflicts
have evolved. I was a rambunctious child
and would quickly defend myself and those whom I loved. In many ways, this characteristic still
holds to be true. I struggle because,
when someone harms me or someone that I love, my instinct is to issue my own
form of justice. As I have aged, I have
come to the realization that when I engage in the behavior of my foes, I become
just as sinful as they are...I become one of them.
Recently when I encountered a situation in
which I was treated unjustly, I found myself reading and praying portions of
Psalm 51 daily. Eventually, I found
myself confessing my own sins. I found
myself laying my hurts, my anger, my disappointments, my bitterness, my DESIRE
to retaliate before God... Create in me
a clean heart, Oh God, place a new and right Spirit within me. Do not take your Spirit away from me...return
the Joy of your salvation back to me...
Prayer: Holy One,
thank you for your love & your forgiveness.
When we feel victimized, free us from the temptation of sin. Amen.
The Reverend Tiffney Marley
