Tearfund Lent Devotional Day 16

Repair

‘First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.’ (Matthew 5:24, NIV)

We began this Lent devotional by looking at the word ‘repent’ – affirming the fact that change is possible.

In the Bible, repentance is often used in the context of a transgression. You have caused harm, so now you must make amends.

This is a beautiful and necessary thing. Especially in this day and age, where there seems to be so little accountability – where those in positions of power rarely seem to own up to their mistakes.

Repentance – change – is possible. And so is repair. It is possible, it is vital, it is godly.

Let each of us be leaders in reconciliation. Difficult though it may be, let us not be afraid to take that humbling first step. Acknowledge the hurt. Apologise. Forgive. Begin the work of repair.

Lord, thank you that there is no end to your grace. Help us to extend that same grace to others and to ourselves. Help us, God, to be a people of repair. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Gideon Heugh

Gideon writes for Tearfund and is a poet and environmentalist