Back in the mid 70's we were just 'new' and 'young' Christians caught up in the wonder of it all.
We tried to track every major event or gospel meeting, and it was on one such occasion that another brother (and newer Christian by about 6 months!) and I, drove in his car to a rally on the East Coast (of Guyana that is!)
I do not remember the name of the preacher but I remember he was a visiting 'big one' from the Assemblies of God, USA. His preaching was typical of many of that denomination...dynamic, humorous at times, very engaging and anointed by the Holy Ghost! (Yeah! Yeah! I am biased for the Holy Ghost!)
I do not remember the title or text of his message, (hey it was a looong time ago!) but I remember it being based on Joseph, and his eventual rise to fame. At the peak of Joseph's life, when he was promoted to prime minister of Egypt, the preacher had the whole audience chuckling at the word picture he painted, in imagining Joseph driving his chariot up to Potiphar's house, and then stopping just to see Potiphar bow before his former slave!
Then it was time for prayer and altar call. Somewhere during that praying session the preacher took the microphone and asked for all to listen. First he apologized for poking fun at Potiphar and saying that Joseph deliberately rode over to make Potiphar bow. His explanation? Joseph was a true prophetic type of Jesus, and it was evident that the Lord Jesus would not have gone out of his way to demean anyone deliberately. The preacher apologized sincerely for the joke that unwittingly destroyed the type.
Needless to say we were impressed at this confession and apology. I doubt whether anyone would have noticed anything odd if he had not brought it up. I believe the Holy Ghost brought it home to him and he could no longer ignore it and still have a free conscience! I really wish I could have remembered his name to give him credit.
As we were returning home my thoughts were suddenly interrupted by my friend…'why would a great man like that apologize for such a simple trivial thing?' …something like that. Without much hesitation I responded 'It is the fact that he apologized that makes him great!'
At a later recap of the incident someone (A pastor I believe) commented on the answer and said that it was an answer from wisdom beyond my years! (Go figure!)
However what is significant is that there are so few of God's people who really know when to say sorry and apologize. Why do we think an apology makes us look weak and inferior? Since an apology comes so hard to many, may it not be an indication of character and integrity when a person, on realizing their mistake, quickly apologizes and take steps to right the wrong?!? I am not talking about those weak, doormat type personalities who are always so afraid of offending, that they are constantly saying they are sorry, even when it is really not necessary!
How many relationships have not been destroyed because a proud stubborn fool fails to give a proper apology for his pigheadedness.
How many times God's servants are reluctant to admit that they may have been wrong because it will make them look less than the superstar they make themselves out to be?!
If only we had an inkling of what people say about us out of our presence…it may quickly make us revise our own superior opinion of ourselves and submit to the dealings of the Spirit of God in our lives…if we are genuine men of God that is. How many times have we not put the brakes on the Lord because we cannot accept that we are not a superior species compared to our congregation.
It was rather funny to hear someone once commenting about us…in frustration I guess! "You Ramlalls are so quick to say you 're sorry!" Well...I would hope we still do!!! I guess being quick to say "I'm Sorry!" sort of took the wind out of their sails, and put a quick end to the beginnings of a prolonged stand off!
In looking back how I wish a few pastors I knew had the guts and courage to acknowledge their wrong and say I'm sorry…What a different ending there might have been to so many lives…
But that is another story...and another day
God bless you as you continue to stumble on His path on to glory and may you always remember that it takes some strength but it builds character to be genuinely sorry for slight mistakes as well as huge ones and to take steps to rectify them.
Again God Bless You!
