Thursday: I Never Say I’m Wrong
WEEK 50
THURSDAY
I NEVER SAY I’M WRONG
1 John 1:5-10
We are looking at the mastery of always being right. Protestantism was never greater than when it put up a monument in Geneva, Switzerland, saying that Calvin and his associates made a mistake and committed a great sin in burning Servetus. Here Protestantism condemned itself and said, “I am sorry.” It was never bigger than when it said those simple words. I know people who, if they just once said, “I am sorry,” would be different people.
A switchboard operator said to the superintendent of a hospital, “I never say I’m wrong.” “Oh,” said the superintendent, “I say it a dozen times a day.” Result? She arose to the superintendency of the hospital, and the other woman was caught at the level of a switchboard operator.
A lady ran a flower shop; a gentleman acquaintance of hers furnished the money to open it. Because of her experience and ability she was to run the shop, and he promised her a half interest in the business. Years passed, and the business grew and was a success. She put in long hours of hard work and drew a small salary. Whenever partnership was mentioned, he put her off. He became ill, and someone gave him a copy of Abundant Living. The nurse phoned the woman to come to the hospital as he wanted to see her. He broke down in tears on her arrival and said he had wronged her these many years. He sent for an attorney, drew up the papers, and gave her half interest in the business. He was bigger and better for saying, “I am sorry.” And now he could live with himself and others.
Scientists now say that there is a substance in tears that kills cancer germs. There is something in a tear of penitence that kills pride, kills self-righteousness, kills sin in general. Nothing is as beautiful as a tear of penitence on the face of a penitent. Heaven bends low to look on the beauty of it. For that teardrop opens the resources of grace and floods the soul with pardon and reconciliation.
If you live by defense, you live by fear. But if you have nothing to defend, you live by faith. You melt the defenses of others when you let down your own. It works.
O Christ Jesus, give me the spirit that acknowledges when I’m wrong, for I want to get rid of all wrong. To defend the wrong is to harbor it. I want to be free, so make me free to acknowledge. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I shall not be on the defensive.
I shall be on the offensive of love, love to everybody and everything.