One of my favorite Foo Fighters songs starts off with this simple lyric…

“I’ve got another confession to make…”

As I think about that lyric, I find myself thinking about the importance of confession…of being truly open and honest about who we are…our weaknesses, our shortcomings, and all that jazz.

Here is the definition of confession, according to dictionary.com:

So, this evening, I feel that I should make some confessions…

On Friday, I consumed more pork in one meal than any person should consume in a month. The great thing about gluttony is that it taste great! As I polished off the “Triple Hog” sandwich at DT Kirby’s, I found myself experiencing feelings of joy and satisfaction…along with feelings of guilt and shortness of breath. And, you know what? I would do it all over again!

On Saturday, I again consumed more food than any person should consume in a single meal. This time, at Exotic Thai, it was a mix of sushi, sashimi, beef teriyaki, fried vegetables, deep-fried banana, rice and fresh fruit. Afterwards, I found myself feeling full…satisfied…a bit uncomfortable with the extra weight I was now carrying around in my gut…and then a bit of guilt for over-consuming. Would I do it again? Of course!

Wait a second, that’s not really a confession as much as it is a declaration. In both cases, I’ve admitted that I felt somewhat gluttonous…even ashamed of consuming mass quantities of food. And yet, I go on to say that I would do it all over again.

Yet, there might be something to that…

You see, it seems like when I truly confess my weaknesses…my short-comings…my sins…it’s just the same list over and over. I confess…but then I just do it all over again. At least I’m being honest about the desire to return to my gluttonous way. Does anyone else struggle with this? It’s not that I’m continually indulging in new forms of sin…I just seem to continually come back to the familiar ones. I think Paul said something about that??? Yep, Romans 7:15…”I don’t know what I’m doing, because I don’t do what I want to do. Instead, I do the thing that I hate.”

So, if that’s the case, have I truly confessed?

Okay…so, we could get into a long conversation about the differences between confession and repentance. We could debate theology and blah, blah, blah.

Let’s just sum it up by saying that when I confess…I’m not just trying to wipe my slate clean…I’m not just trying to get things off my chest and feel a little less guilt…I’m also begging for the strength and courage to change because I desperately desire to be different.

As I continue to grow on this journey of faith, I am continually reminded of the great need to have some close friends and family who I can trust with my confessions. These are persons I know will offer their love, support, and encouragment…people who will help hold me accountable…who will check in on me…who will withhold their judgment…who will not gossip.

It’s good to confess…maybe not before the entire congregation (I’ve seen that get a little weird…and I’m not sure everyone needs to know your business…and I’m sure you don’t want “so and so” talking about your confession over lunch) … and maybe not on a blog (I’ve seen that get a little weird too).

But, everyone should have a friend(s), family member(s), counselor, or clergyperson who we can bare our souls to…in all honesty and openness…without judgment or ridicule…but with love, respect, and support. Someone who will listen…who will pray…who will encourage…who will hold you accountable.

The only way I’m going to sin less…the only way I’m going to get better each day is to have some folks around me…praying for me…cheering me on…and loving me.

Who do you confess to?