People everywhere will come to you on account of their sins. Our faults defeat us, but you forgive them. Psalm 65: 3-4

God can bring good out of anything—even our wrongdoing. Not that we should willfully choose to do wrong, of course. But these lines from Psalm 65 offer us hope and freedom. We don’t have to be perfect before we turn to God. We don’t even have to pretend to be perfect. Sometimes when we try too hard to prove we’re not at fault we end up blaming others. Ironically, this can lead to more hurt and sin as we puff ourselves up with prideful self-justification and damage relationships. When we judge or criticize others, love goes right out the window. On the other hand, sometimes when we are all too aware of our wrongdoings, we can get stuck in self-condemnation.

Either way, our focus is on ego-self. That blocks our ability to truly love God, others, and even ourselves. But when we are able to admit and accept our brokenness and our inability to achieve perfection, we are free to turn to God in healthy humility. Our faults may defeat us, but they do not defeat our all-powerful, all-wise, and all-loving Creator. God forgives us and loves us as we are, while ever inviting us to grow closer to Him and to each other. Imperfection is one quality we all share. Having experienced forgiveness ourselves, we are in a much better position to extend that forgiveness to others.

Prayer:  Lord, thank You for forgiving me. Help me accept Your love.

Reflection for sharing:  What keeps me from admitting my wrongs to God?