Confession; Luke 18:9-14

It's been a tough week for me. First, some difficult decisions have led to significant changes at Lincoln Christian University, a place I dearly love. Lincoln has been a massive part of my life and faith, and I find myself grieving. On top of that, the news from Ukraine has me praying for peace but anticipating the worst and concerned about those who find themselves in harm's way. I recognize within myself a tendency to pretend everything is ok. I anticipate that, at some point today, someone will ask, "How are you?" and I will very likely say, "Fine!" But I'm not fine. What makes it so hard for us to be honest with each other? Are we any better at being honest with God? When Jesus taught us how to pray, he included confession as a vital part of the way we communicate with God. "Forgive us our debts." Or is it, "Forgive us our trespasses?" When we tell God we have deficits in our character, and that we have stepped into places we didn't belong, we recognize all the more our need for his grace. Confession truly is good for the soul.