This could be another instance of how the English language can be so complicated. So many antonyms, synonyms, spellings that get “confuzzled” (that’s an Amy word). Sometimes the only way to have peace of mind is to give someone a piece of it! We remember the expression, although not used as much today: “I’d like to give them a piece of my mind” – usually accompanied by a scowl and the crossing of arms. It might make you feel better temporarily, but it is anything but pleasant for the giver as well as the receiver of a piece of mind. Peace is so fleeting. All of us carry around mental baggage or burdens; things that inwardly trouble us. If we aren’t careful, we risk bottling it up for too long, and our piece of mind becomes such a huge chunk that it doesn’t come out the way we intended. But the damage is already done. Speaking the truth, even confronting someone with an uncomfortable truth, is a tough pill to swallow. Accusations hurled, names called, character assassinated. There are times when a piece of mind gets misinterpreted in all of those ways. The message is in the ear of the beholder.

We all find times in our lives when we feel hypocritical. It is part of the sinful human condition. We protect, defend our self-opinion at all costs. It is not different or easier when we are followers of Jesus. Or even just a fan of Jesus. We get on our moral high horse, becoming all self-righteous and judgmental. Neither the church nor Jesus promised us peace of mind. If it did, what need would there be for law and gospel? We always struggle and grapple with our unworthiness. I confess and own the fact that I have hurt people with my hypocrisy, with giving someone an unwarranted, unsolicited piece of mind just to make myself feel better; better than them. I stand condemned by the law of God; not just because I have broken commandments, but because I am a sinner. The only hope I have of getting the broken pieces back together is by the loving mercy and grace given by God through Jesus. The gospel grants the peace.

My Christian brothers and sisters share that peace with me every Sunday. We do not know all the sordid details of each other’s lives; most of that remains between us and God, against whom we have ultimately sinned. Church is not the panacea, the “fix-it-all” place. It is the broken body of Christ. It is the place where, if you give someone a piece of your mind, you rightfully expect or at least hope that there will be forgiveness leading to peace. So give yourself permission to be flawed, to mess up, to surrender your entire soul to the One who pieces back together. Be at peace with one another so that the un-Christian world can see your goodness and give glory to the same One who loves us unconditionally.

Originally posted by Pastor Art in October 2018