My conscience has been plagued the last few days by a lunch encounter I had with a stranger this week. To make a long story short, he jumped into conversation with me and my co-workers with some IT questions. The first of my sins was to be put off that he interrupted my rather fun lunch with some technical questions which I didn’t want to answer. The sin of selfishness wanted what was easy and fun for me rather than to submit myself as a servant to this stranger (parable of the Good Samaritan?). Also to laugh at his ignorance (if only in my mind) because he asked a seemingly silly question furthered my sin. Pride reared its ugly head, and I internally classified (judged?) the individual. After I played my best avoidance card and allowed one of my co-workers to answer his question, we had a reprieve from conversation. I was fairly certain this was a non-believer, and I felt moved (convicted?) to extend the conversation by inviting him to church. I opened my wallet to look for an invite card (always an easy way out), but when I didn’t find one, I settled. I made an effort to call out to the young man as he was leaving, but he didn’t hear me and I let it be. I even had another chance again as we were leaving the restaurant and saw him in the parking lot, but again I chickened out.
In short order, I had committed the sins of selfishness, pride, and rejected the Spirit’s prompting. The fruit of the Spirit were not on display in me because I know that love would have reacted exactly opposite to how I did in every way.
Lord Jesus, please forgive me. If not for your grace, I would be outside of your family. I repent of these sins, and I ask with faith that you would overcome them in my life by the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.