Alright so this is no big deal. I skipped work and lied about it. Like a big- fat- excuse- that’s -plain-untrue lie. And it wasn’t the first time. It’s happened twice (not at the same place). This time happened on Friday. I think I got a headache because of it. The Holy Spirit is interesting b/c when you do stuff like that, you’re basically keeping a relationship with God to say that you really don’t want that stuff to happen in your life. So it was on my back the whole weekend.
You might be thinking ’so what’, right? Exactly. I got ready to go back to work on Monday and it just kind of washed over me…I need to come clean. I needed to apologize – as easy as it could be to let it drop. So I apologized (over e-mail). Why? The thing about our words – whether it’s in an e-mail (which, thank goodness for technology!) or whatever – is that they define our character. What’s the big deal about lying? Of course I wanted a break, but the fact that I put my integrity on the line was…out of line.
We don’t realize that our words are all we have sometimes. People believe a lot of what we say. It’s how we make friends and get our point across. They make relationships a lot stronger and move us to do pretty crazy things. People rally for words. Nations fall over words. I majored in words. We talk in words! Give them some credit.
So come Monday I sent an apology via e-mail. It was a horrible feeling. I’ve apologized before and it was the same sentiment. Why? It’s never a great idea to break your word. It’s never fun seeing how easily you messed up. There’s no relief in asking forgiveness, only reality.
God has a way of putting things before your face. I fall every second. My words falter, fail, and completely fry my testimony – sometimes for no obvious reason. I’d like to say those were the only times I’ve let my words stain my testimony, but it hasn’t been. Even today.
So when I say that this is no big deal it’s more b/c my thinking is wrong. It is a big deal. Every word I utter is a big deal. Every word I hear is a big deal. I’m meant to glorify God and so – make no mistake – nothing you’ll hear me say is supposed to be pointless, foolish, or flagrant. I’ve got a purpose to glorify God and no lies, noise, or other untruths should stop that and get in the way. That’s huge.


