“And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18
I woke with a hangover this morning. Not the alcohol related kind – the regret of sin. My heart grieved over words spoken out of turn. I wanted to turn back the hands of time, to erase a flippant, critical remark. The damage was done. The words which reached others ears ought not to have been spoken from my mouth. After all, I just published a book on the power of words! The look of shock that spread across my friend’s face caused me to back pedal. I tried to make a joke out of my remark, and then came the explanation, rationalization. Someone high-fived me with a laugh stating they felt identical emotions. A change in the conversation brushed over my careless words. The evening ended and I crawled into bed, not counting sheep, but feeling sheepish about my words. I confessed my sins and drifted into a restless night of haunting dreams. Daylight broke and the alarm clock sounded. Like a drunkard regretting his imbibing, my regret drew me back to the previous night’s conversation. Once again, I failed at what I desire earnestly not to do – use my mouth for unrighteousness, instead of righteousness.
In Romans 7:24 Paul exclaimed, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is infected by death?” He then gave thanks to God for Jesus, the One who could rescue us from the power of sin. Paul realized one sin never defined him nor did it always have to render him powerless and defeated.
Like Paul, I blow it. I sin. Most of my problems occur while opening my mouth, when keeping it closed poses a greater solution. The root of the issue is my heart. If I purify my heart, my daily
ebb and flow ought to run crystal clear as well. When I think and speak soberly, I carry no regrets.
So… the hangover turned into hanging out with God for the morning. He’d heard my trite confession the night before. Today flowed with new mercies, a quiet time of reflection, and a filling of the Spirit.
In the words of the Apostle Paul, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Being able to repent and receive forgiveness is sweet grace. Bless you as you encourage us.