The window crashed when the football hit it, and Joseph ran and hid. Sound familiar? It’s tough to confess when we break something—literally or figuratively.
Mr. Angam runs The Children’s Home in Manipur, a state in northeastern India. It was there that he found Joseph, a toddler abandoned at the local hospital. Even though that was 14 years ago, Joseph still remembers what it was like to be abandoned. He lives in fear of rejection, so every time he gets in trouble, he runs from his responsibility. He is afraid that those who are supposed to love him will reject him.
At the J127 club which meets at the orphanage, Joseph received The Action Bible. One of the teachers shared with the boys the story of how Daniel showed great integrity when he faced danger. But then the teacher told about how as a child he, too, had struggled being honest when he was afraid. Joseph was moved. He knew he needed to confess about breaking the window, and when he did, Mr. Angam offered grace to Joseph, not condemnation.
“Telling the truth isn’t so bad,” Joseph said. “Especially when they love you enough to forgive you.””
Scripture:
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16
Prayer:
God, it seems that it is in our DNA to hide our sin, not only from you, but also from one another. But we cannot be healed of our sinful life patterns unless we drag our sins out of hiding and into the light. I pray that I would remember this: that I am not abandoned in my confessed sins, but accepted, loved and forgiven.
Update: In 2018, David C Cook transferred oversight of the J127 clubs to an in-country partner which continues to shepherd and grow this program. By supporting David C Cook’s Life on Life curriculum, you will be helping support this program as well.
