The Cheating Pastor
I received a huge gift yesterday. I was given the opportunity to speak and wrap up our series at Cross Point, entitled “Pursuit”, and I spoke on Pursuing a Healthy Family. It was a great day, and I really felt like God showed up for our people. I was so thankful to have this opportunity…but that isn’t THE gift I am talking about.
After one of the services, a lady approached me in the lobby. I had never seen her before, but she looked at me like she knew me. Her first words to me were, “I need to ask for your forgiveness.” I haven’t had too many conversations with people that I have never met start like that, so I was a little taken back. She went on to say:
Every time you have been on stage, I have resented you. Every time you have been announced as the speaker for the day, I didn’t want to listen, and I was angry at you. You are the cheating pastor. You are the pastor that cheated on his wife, and I couldn’t get past it. My husband had an affair not too long ago, and left me. He wasn’t remorseful, he wasn’t sorry, and he told me I deserved it…and I held that against you. You were a cheater. I hope you can forgive me, and I have been so blessed by how God has used you to speak to my heart, and I am so glad you are a part of Crosspoint.
I could barley hold it together. This conversation didn’t HAVE to happen. She could have asked God for forgiveness, and never had this conversation with me. She didn’t owe me anything. I would have NEVER known the difference…but she would have. She chose to a path not many do…she chose the path of courageous confession. Through her courage and through her authenticity, a part of my heart was redeemed and a part of her heart was too.
Maybe there are relationships in your life that are functioning “just fine” without you seeking forgiveness. Maybe a person in your life has no idea that you are resentful of them or angry with them…but you know. You know that relationship isn’t what it could be and what God designed it to be, because you’re holding out, you’re withholding your heart, you’re not being courageous.
Can I encourage you to take some advice from this Cheating Pastor…not only will you set your own heart free with a courageous confession, you will set the person you are holding hostage free as well.
Who do you need to have a courageous conversation with today?
