June 16, 2005
The Confessional
Here is the place that we are able to unburden our hearts. It is the place we can put down the baggage that we carry around everyday. This is where the weight of the world is unloaded off our shoulders, imagine Atlas experiencing such freedom?
I recently heard a story about a couple Christian guys that went to a frat party. They were dressed as priests and had constructed a confessional booth that was set-up outside the party. Eventually someone walked up to them and sarcastically said, “Am I supposed to give you my confession or something?” I doubt he expected the reply he received, “No. We are here to confess our sins. The church has sinned against you and we are here to confess.” Soon they had attracted the attention of others anxious to hear this public declaration of guilt.
What a great way to open the door to share the need for redemption through our Savior Jesus Christ! Everyone has need for confession and nothing makes you more vulnerable than bearing your sins to others.
Apparently the anonymous blog has gone a little step further with this site. Post Secret is a new way to use your artistic talents, snail mail and the web to enter the confessional. People use their creative juices to reveal the pains of their heart by mailing a postcard to an address. The image is then shared on the blog for an opportunity of anonymous public confession. It is certainly an interesting view into the hearts of many.
Here is a particularly interesting one that I identified with to some degree:
By engaging our culture and developing loving relationships with others we open doors to share a message that does more than just help people cope with pain. It offers hope for a better tomorrow. “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). The Gospel is that simple. Be reconciled to God through His son Jesus Christ, so that His perfection may wash away your sins. Confession, personal or public, gives us that opportunity to draw closer to that righteousness.
That story about the priests at the frat party is from a book called "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. Or at least, it's pretty much the same story, some of the details have been changed. Anyway, it's a VERY powerful story, and I highly recommend the book.
Posted by: mo at June 16, 2005 04:46 PMThanks for pointing that out. Admittedly, the friend that told me that story had just recently finished reading that book and it is very possible I misunderstood him or missed some details of the story. Would you share which details have been changed?
Posted by: Jeff Price at June 17, 2005 11:50 AMI think most atheists secretly fear they are going to hell.
Posted by: William Meisheid at June 24, 2005 02:09 AM