Confession and cultural baggage

There is so much cultural baggage associated with the word ‘confession’ – evoking images of black-robed priests, musty churches, weird wooden cubicles, peculiar little shutters and apparent invisibility – that it has lost all, or most, of its useful meaning. Let’s, then, de-clutter our minds of these cultural distractions and focus instead on the profound implications of what confession properly means, and as it unfolds, I believe, through three broad stages. In the first instance, confession, in its purest and holiest form, is the act of being deeply honest with ourselves. This first-step is tough, certainly, as it involves facing ourselves authentically, and in the cold light of day, or ‘in the mirror’ as they say (also see Corinthians 13:12) – so, of refusing to pretend we are something we are not, whether this pretense relates to hiding from our truer and deeper emotions, will, desires, aspirations, fears, hopes, and so on. During this first act of honest self-reflection, confession also involves steadfastly refusing to listen to the voice of others – that is, concerning who we supposedly are or should be, and, as well, refusing to bow to their inevitable judgment of us, good or bad. The second-step of confession is also tough, initially at least, but ultimately is remarkably life-enhancing and liberating, as we come into the presence of God and Christ. So, we first say to him what we have seen of our authentic selves, and then ask and trust him to deal with it all. That is, to forgive us, certainly (also see Luke 15:11-32), but also to help us, by giving us the courage and comfort to get ‘in touch’ with ourselves all the more. Subsequently, if we do this repeateadly, he will mold and shape us according to his will, and, most importantly, according to how he wants to bless us (also see John 14:15-31). The third, and final step of confession is, in principle at least much more straightforward (although in practice can often be excruciating), and that is to tell others of our journey.

Click on book cover image on this blog's home page for information on my book Nine Steps to Well-Being: A Spiritual Guide for Disconnected Christians and Other Questioning Journeyers - first three chapters are FREE!!