Confession is a powerful form of truth-seeking. It requires two things: first, to admit we do not have the truth completely figured out already. Secondly, to share with our community a specific aspect of that reality.
There are a lot of reasons we avoid confession. Failure often feels like an identity marker rather than an opportunity to grow. So, we decide to keep up a facade, a charade, rather than face the discomfort of acknowledging reality. Truth is an acquired taste. Another reason we avoid confession is because we think we’ve got it under control. As long as we admit to ourselves this was a lapse, we can recover and move on, no need to bring others (much less God) into the relatively simple equation.
When we confess something to another person, it makes it feel more real. It is an act of vulnerability and recognition, like putting your cards on the table face up. There is a deeper acknowledgement of truth when we do this.
And sure, vulnerability is a risk, but so is hiding. When we share with one another, we enter into the kind of truth sharing that can only happen in community. When we start to “get real” with one another, we step into God’s design for life more fully.
There is power in togetherness. In the confession and the prayers of community members. It is a power of truth-seeking, inviting us into intimacy. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the realities of our lives and the communal life to which we were called. In doing so, we unlock abundant opportunities for growth.