Confession:   Telling the truth about our sinful thoughts, words and deeds in the context of God's unyielding holiness and inexaustible mercy. 

Confessing can be embarrassing and hard.  But we've found ways to soften the blow.  
It's often easier to confess my sins in a group--standing in the safety of the congregation all saying together, "forgive us for what we have done and for what we have left undone."  It covers all the bases, but we don't get too explicit about it.

I also don't mind talking just to God in private prayer about my personal and particular sins.  After all, God already knows me so well that nothing is a surprise to him. 

Then along come public worship songs (and some well-phrased prayers) that expose detailed sins that are current and common to individuals and congregations.  Life-styles, choices, actions, apathy, words and silence that testify against us.  

And they are true. 

If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings,

    who would stand a chance?     Ps. 130:3

  
Yet, we sing them.  Aloud! Together and alone because  

As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit,

  and that’s why you’re worshiped.    Ps. 130:4

This song awakened in me the reality of my own sins and my participation in the communal brokenness around me.  Singing it with the congregation during the celebration of communion alerted me to the context of God's amazing grace and forgiveness.  


Lead Us Back is written by Bobby Gilles and Brooks Ritter and found on the album Before the Throne from Sojourners Community Church.