The comeback

I was inspired by a short post by Jon Acuff last week who wrote “This is for all the people who have made mistakes and hold out hope that it’s not impossible to return.”

That’s me!

I’ve been reminded of past failure so much that they now are part of my resume. It’s a tattoo for all to see. It’s a rock that I drag around for all to wonder. It’s an anchor that holds my heart.

Acuff uses Joseph in Gen 43 as an illustration. Joseph is charged with feeding  Egypt, and his scoundrel brothers who sold him into slavery come begging for food.

Joseph demands that Benjamin be brought before him, but Israel, the father, is unwilling to lose yet another son. But Judah, the older brother gives a guarantee.

“Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life.”

Acuff notes that Judah is murderer and adulterer himself, but he’s making amends. He’s standing up for integrity. He’s ready to move beyond his past and be a stand-up guy. Acuff dissects the verse and notes the personal responsiblity:

Send the boy along with me

If I do not bring him back

I will bear the blame before you all my life.

Acuff says, “I love that the Bible is full of mess ups that come back. Abject failures of human beings that through God’s grace are pulled from the pit and do some tremendous things.”

So, here I am God. Ready to stand upright. I’ve taken my lumps. I’ve paid my dues. I’ve lived out the consequences. I’ve suffered at the hands of a hardened heart. I’ve failed so many people. I haven’t lived up to Your name. I’m broken.

You can fix me.
You can bring me home.
You can put a song in my heart again.

Let the comeback begin.