Unseemly confession: I'm at an age where errant hairs, sometimes white (ick), suddenly appear on my chiny-chin-chin, eyebrow, or some other geography. Wire-brush bristles, peach fuzz, or wisps that weren't there eight minutes ago, they seem to come out of nowhere. I think. Or they've been there a while and I didn't notice, until standing under my master bath skylight just so or catching a glimpse of myself in my sunny rearview mirror. I gasp, then promptly pull out my
tweezers.
Guys aren't immune, as hair sometimes migrates from the top of the head to the earlobe, back, nostril, or knuckle. My seventeen-year-old is also oblivious as a novice, casual shaver who often overlooks a half-inch wedge of full beard beneath his chin.
It's good to examine ourselves closely and regularly in the bright light. In Twelve Step recovery, people are urged to be vigilant about sins as potentially life-threatening. This is called the tenth step, which involves ongoing (24/7) monitoring and confession of defects/sins. This is a useful, ancient practice the church has mostly minimized, even though the New Testament repeatedly urges us to practice sober, ongoing self-review and confession.
James says,
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. James 1:22-24 (NLT)
Paul says,
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 1 Corinthians 11:26-29 (NIV)
Jesus Himself famously said,
5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Matthew 7:5 (NLT)
SIDEBAR: Somewhat controversially, Jesus is saying we need to see ourselves clearly before we can judge other Christians’ conduct, humbled, equal, and hopefully compassionate and helpful. See 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, Proverbs 27:5–6; Matthew 18:15; Luke 17:3; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 5:11). I’m always grateful when a friendly sister alerts me to one-inch whiskers I don’t see.
But let’s get back to James’ reminder that isn’t so much about bad lighting making us oblivious to our wrongs, but outright carelessness or defiance of God’s guidelines for living.
I remind myself (and you) that God isn’t a killjoy out to spoil our good times, but a loving parent who knows what’s best for us, even if we’re brilliant and think we know better. Viewed in this light, the messes we make are just that, not so much punishment, but consequences.
I don’t want any more consequences, personal or global. Do you?
In psychology, the 'Johari' window model builds self-awareness to promote productive group communication and harmony. I don’t think it’s too big of a stretch to say knowing that we’re all sinners in need of saving promotes productive communication, mutual encouragement, and the harmony to which Jesus calls us.
Let’s pull out our mirrors and take a good look at ourselves to remember who we are, realign with the God of the Universe, and thank Him that Jesus covers the chin hairs we can’t see to pluck.
Step 10 makes it simple, paraphrased: 1)Watch for sin 2)Ask God to remove it 3)Confess to another, 4) Make amends as needed, and 5) Turn our attention to someone we can help. This last one is especially powerful for those of us who can be paralyzed by self-reproach.
Please note that it’s less about strenuous self-improvement or (typically) self-aggrandizing perfectionism, and more about humble cooperation and dependence.
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