Not Me

“Who left crumbs on the kitchen counter?” It wasn’t me. Funny, but you just made a sandwich on that counter space.

“Whose hair is all over the bathroom sink?” Not mine. Odd, but you combed your hair five minutes ago standing in front of the necessity room mirror.

“Who tracked mud onto the kitchen floor tile?” Not me. My, who could it be? The only person here to use that door in the last 24 hours was you. Those shoes of yours look like they have seen cleaner days, too.

“Not me,” is one of my favorite responses. It shifts the blame immediately away from me and toward whomever else can qualify for suspicion or guilt. It has often served me well.

The Christian life begins with repentance and faith. We turn from sin and turn in trust to Christ. This is at the core of what it means to be Christian.

The life of following Christ is lived just as it was begun – in repentance and faith. There is often something to turn from and Someone to turn to. We live as we were born.

In all of life we are challenged to admit our failures and correct our faults. It is amazing to me how often in Holy Scripture God calls on His people to repent. It is not just the message to those still living apart from faith. It is also the message to those who have begun in faith. It is the plea to continue.

“Not me,” is not a very helpful or holy response. “Yes, me,” will take us farther from sin and closer to the loving God who prompts us there.

Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
South Haven Baptist Church
November 24, 2009