We live in a world of outrage. With each news update, social media scroll, or catch up conversation brings the high likelihood of revealing something distressing, disastrous, and definitely no-good. Every “alert” – literally “an announcement or signal warning of danger” – confirms what we know to be true: all is not well.
It’s no secret that people and companies capitalize on stoking our anger and fears, influencing how we see the world around us. (For decades, a majority of Americans have believed that crime is on the rise, despite government data showing the opposite. Why? Because outrage sells).
Our instinct to spot the wrong and the dangerous helps keep us safe. But there is also something deeply satisfying, even comforting about pointing out the faults around us: We get to be right. Compared to the evildoer(s), we are on the side of the good, the virtuous, the innocent, the oppressed. Whatever problems we have pale in contrast to the stark wrongness of others. At least I’m not as bad as them.
This isn’t an effort to minimize evil or our obligation to “cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). But with a focus decidedly fixed on the problems of others, we miss an important practice of healthy life and leadership.
The Power of Repentance in a Blame-Driven World
You’ve likely come across this quote by Leo Tolstoy: “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” When we shift our focus from outward to inward, we notice again: all is not well. And while we may or may not have the authority or influence to adjust the world around us, we assuredly have more control over our own thoughts and choices.
Noticing problems is an important first step in fixing them. (We are not responsible for addressing every problem, but we are responsible for addressing our problems). What we do next is extremely important and incredibly simple.
Repent!
This word might already be summoning images of someone with a big sign and bullhorn, sparking feelings of shame, frustration, and resentment. But the true point of repentance is far more straightforward and freeing than anyone sitting in judgement would like you to believe.
To repent means to change one’s mind and turn around. In the context of the Bible, when we miss the mark, we sin; when we pivot back from that wrong turn towards God, we repent.
We think. We act. We recognize our mistake. We change our mind, attitude, and action.
If you’re a functioning adult, you’ve (hopefully) experienced this process countless times. Our thoughts, our choices, our awareness. His truth, his love, his forgiveness.
What’s more, as we commit to repentance, and as we continue to practice it, we gain a more honest perspective of ourselves, our Creator, and each other. We discover:
The more conscious I am of the work God has yet to do in me, the less critical I am about what he has yet to do in you.
Practical Ways to Come Clean
If we long to shape our workplaces, our families, our circles, our world, we must first allow God to shape us. Amidst a culture of accusation, that could look like:
- Pausing before blaming. When someone frustrates you, ask: What is this moment revealing about me? Let curiosity replace self-righteousness and defensiveness.
- Practicing confession. Be honest about where you’ve drifted. Where do you need to turn back? Start sharing these discoveries with the people you trust.
- Reframing repentance as progress. It isn’t weak to recognize your mistakes, and you’ll never run out of opportunities to repent – no matter how good, right, or wise you are.
Imagine living in a world of confession. Where friends, coworkers, families, influencers, and leaders freely admitted when they were wrong, changed direction, and (re)oriented their actions towards God. How might they reshape the world around them?
Because real influence doesn’t begin with calling others out, but with God calling us in.
