 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|||||
 |
|
Coming Clean "So put away all falsehood and tell your neighbor the truth (Ephesians 4: 25). As discussed in the devotional on lying, "The Summer of Mistrust," would begin with the fall of Enron which would cost investors over 60 billions dollars, and wipe out millions of American's retirement, setting the stage for the beginning of many more tragic stories such as Adelphia, WorldCom, and many other bankruptcies. The result of such chaos is that Americans' have no confidence that our leaders in various professions would consistently make morally appropriate decisions in their workplace. Even teachers who received by far the highest vote of confidence, and are held as the most trusted leaders, 6 out 7 Americans are not willing to trust them. This paints a very dim picture of ethics in today's workplace. Often times we take a defeated attitude and wonder who are we to change the culture of such giants of corporate America? Or how are we able to change things? First, let us recognize that mega companies did not build our nation and it was not built on truth that was relative and at times non-existent. Simple men and women who started small businesses built America. The identity of those businesses did not lie in the product being sold but in the person behind the product. It was a time when our yes was yes and our no was no, a time when credit was based on a handshake and not a credit report. A handshake was the only commitment needed to execute a contract. Once we realize this, the question becomes how do we rebuild an America where our gift to future generations will be the value of truth? In order to rebuild something whether it is an automobile, an airplane or broken body, we must go back to its foundation. To rebuild a nation where our word is our bond and a handshake is more important than a legal contract composed by an attorney, we must set the standard through repentance and confession. Our past actions in the workplace may have brought harm to an individual or persons. Though our acts may not have been on the scale of Enron, Adelphia or Martha Stewart, those acts or wrong choices, brought real consequences of hurt and deceit. That leaves us facing another choice; allowing things to remain as they are and hope that someday everyone will get better, or we can take a bold step and "Come Clean." When we come clean with those whom we have hurt, deceived, or cheated we take the first step in re-establishing trust. When we come clean about our actions and show a contrite heart it sets the stage for those whom we have hurt and with those whom we come in contact to know that there is a convicting element in us bringing us to repentance. That sounds so clean and easy. So, why is it so difficult to act out? Is it because we live in a society that promotes individualism and self-achievement at any cost? Is it because any expression of pain or repentance is immediately judged as weakness? So, how does this work? How do we find the freedom to come clean? The answer begins with becoming a doer of the Word, not a hearer only (James 1:22) by confessing our sins one to another. It seems amazingly easy, and at the same time so amazingly insurmountably hard. Yet, if I am to experience genuine change in my life the first step is admitting that in and of myself I am incapable of that change. Second, I must no longer submit superficial prayer requests for my distant aunt who may have a cold or may have lost a job. I must be free to look at you and tell you my real need-the thing with which I battle daily. By confessing our sins one to another we create a safe place for expression and healing; this is freedom. Surrender to God today and admit that 'individualism' is not the answer. Be liberated as you confess your sins one to another so that secrets can no longer hold you captive. Then we become transparent with those we love, we create a safe place for healing, and open the door for real intimacy. My God give me the strength to come clean with those whom I need to come clean. Meditation: Is there some hidden act within you, about which that you are being convicted and know that you have to come clean?
Jorge L. Valdes, Ph.D.
|