Conviction

Last night I played ball with a few friends and during a water break I entered into a conversation with a buddy about our weekends. Before I knew it, I found myself talking badly about someone we mutually knew. It was stupid and worthless conversation, but nevertheless, my attempt at humor took a stab at someone else behind their back. The sad part is that I didn't even think twice about it, until...

On my drive home my phone rang and it was the friend I was playing ball with. He asked if I had a minute and then proceeded to point out the hurtful words I'd spoken an hour earlier. I was caught off guard at first and initially wanted to defend myself... but then conviction set in and I realized that he was right on the money. He told me that he'd heard me preach a sermon on James 3 and the power of the tongue just a few months ago and felt like he needed to call me out. He then invited me to hold him accountable for how he too uses his words.

I'm so grateful to him for the courage it took to make that phone call. It would have been easier to just never mention it and avoid any confrontation, but his boldness was an example of true friendship.

After thinking about why I spoke harsh words about someone else I was saddened. My words were spoken out of hurt. I felt rejection by someone and so I chose to try and harm them with my tongue. Why does revenge lurk in my heart? In many of our hearts?

My next step, after writing this lil blog post, needs to be a phone call to the person I spoke badly about. I don't want to make that call, but I know that I need to ask forgiveness. I want to use my tongue for good and to apologize.

That one phone call last night has shook up my week pretty good. Its not fun to look in the mirror and realize who I am apart from God's grace, but its awesome to live in this love relationship with a God who wipes our slates clean every day. Thank you Matt for reminding me of my need for a savior!

Now off to make that phone call...