I love to clean bathrooms (seriously)—at someone else’s house. I love to fanatically organize clothes, closets, or storage boxes—at someone else’s house. And, I’m sad to confess, I love to fix what’s wrong—in someone else’s life.

Maybe it’s the way bloggers view life. Maybe it’s just the writer in me, seeking topics of interest to develop into some great masterpiece of timeless literature that will transform hearts and lives (as if). Maybe, just maybe, it’s that it’s easier to point out what someone else is doing wrong and needs to work on than it is to use the mirror of reality, viewing my own reflection through the eyes of truth.

There are many times that I have been tempted to address an “issue” or a “wrong” in order to “preach” at someone else. In my own mind, of course, I convince myself that my goal centers on the lofty purpose of helping him or her to be more like Christ. After all, I’m a teacher, an encourager, and…[as reflected in that mirror of truth]…proud, judgmental, and willingly blind to my own sins.

I’m spending a gloriously inordinate amount of time studying the book of James these days, and James 2:10 had, as it were, a trumpet fanfare of, “Read this carefully, Brenda Lee,” attached to it this morning:

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10, NIV).

This was one of those SMH (“smack my head”) moments, when I saw the words, “and yet stumbles at just one point.” I teach, know, and wholeheartedly believe that sin is sin; it is that which separates the unholy me from the holiness of God. Yet I continue to excuse my “little sins.” (I love how the writer of this verse called it just stumbling, not even falling!) And my thoughts—”Thank goodness I’m not as bad/sinful/ungodly as that person”—too often cause me to think that my wrong choices and arrogant attitudes are somehow justifiable.

But this morning it hit me (sorry for my delayed learning times, faith-friends—I’m a slow faith-learner!): I cannot justify [make excuses for] my sins, but because of God’s grace, mercy, and love, I am justified [excused, pardoned, forgiven]!

As that takes root in my mind, my heart, my life, I suddenly view my gifts of teaching and encouraging not as tools for “showing others what they’re doing wrong” but as opportunities to reflect the grace, mercy, and love that I have received. I see the forgiveness that I do not deserve, have not earned, and need so often, and my pride turns to grateful humility.

Now, friends, if you’ll excuse, me, I need to go clean the bathrooms…in my own house.

Lord, may the only one I “judge” be me,
and may the One I reflect be You. 

_________________

Image courtesy of Mister GC at FreeDigitalPhotos.net