A legacy is something that’s passed on from one person to another, and it can be good or bad. That’s why we should consider what we’re passing on. We might have used harsh words that stemmed from what was happening in our lives at the time; but now we’re able to see things more clearly, and feel ashamed of the hurtful words we said. James wrote, ‘Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires’ (James 1:19-20 NLT). Our words can do lasting damage, so we should care about what we’re saying. Paul wrote, ‘See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many’ (Hebrews 12:15 NIV). Maybe we’ve planted seeds that caused a root of bitterness to grow in someone’s heart. If possible, we should make amends by seeking forgiveness and trying to set the record straight with those we’ve left hurt over a situation that we feel differently about now. It’s humbling, but we need to do it because we won’t feel right with God until we’re right with those He loves. Jesus said, ‘If you are offering your gift at the altar and…remember…your brother…has something against you…go and be reconciled…then come and offer your gift’ (Matthew 5:23-24 NIV). Dr Dale Turner wrote: ‘It is the highest form of self-respect to admit our errors and mistakes and make amends for them…A mistake is only an error in judgment, but to adhere to it when it is discovered shows weakness of character.’ When we’ve made a mistake, let’s do the right thing by making amends when we can.

What Now?

Is there someone you need to apologise to, or a mistake that you need to put right? Today, if you can, take steps to reconcile and repair any damage. Thank God for the opportunity to make amends.