Confession followed by Reconciliation - 4

 What is it about the power of confession?

That's something I wondered as I got on the airplane in Cochabamba, Bolivia, returning to Brasilia, Brazil. I had shared two weeks with Bolivian brothers and sisters. We studied the book of Acts for one week, and during that time, I learned an unforgettable lesson in October 1989. 

It came through Bolivian pastors and leaders, not from me as a visiting speaker. 

The topic being discussed was the power of the Holy Spirit to witness. I asked for their opinions on the Bible passage we had been reading during the previous 45 minutes. The complete silence that followed left me feeling uncomfortable, and I wondered if I should step into the conversation to keep that silence from getting unbearable. 

One of the pastors, Emigidio Veizaga, shifted in his seat as if he wanted to say something but couldn't. When he spoke, his comments seemed to have nothing to do with the topic! 

"I didn't want to come to this meeting," he began, "and almost didn't buy the bus ticket." His next words explained the reasons for his discomfort. I learned that stress existed between the various departmentos, or provinces/states, of the country. I can't remember how long he spoke, but his sincerity in desiring unity among the leaders was matched by his distress caused by a few recent occurrences. He wanted to love others but was finding it difficult to do so.

When he stopped speaking, another silence! Wow! Then, first one man and then another came to him, speaking gentle words. They thanked him for his honesty. Expressions of love were given with joy, forgiveness, and not a few tears. Hard feelings began to break down. One man went across the circle to give Emigidio a warm hug. Then another did the same thing. People waited patiently to publically ask for forgiveness. For a while, I felt the power of God. We were in the presence of the Lord. Past hurts were put aside. An atmosphere of genuine love and caring fell over the group. No one wanted to take a coffee break. Just being together in the Lord's work, sitting in the seminary chapel, and basking in the warmth of the Holy Spirit was enough.

Some unplanned events took place in the next few evenings. We had amazing breakthroughs, positive experiences that bound everyone together, men and women, urban pastors and Campesinos, rural pastors. 

That smaller meeting folded into an even larger one during which young people demonstrated their love for the Lord through their beautiful combinations using guitars, Andean flutes, and drums. 

What is it about the power of confession? How can ordinary people know the love of Christ if small problems in churches become big ones? 

Reconciliation between leaders in that experience, and in subsequent encounters, taught me how wonderful are the words of Jesus, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." 

Oh, that we, here in our nation of Canada, might repent before the Lord and one another of the attitudes we have sometimes held towards one another, judging without knowing all the facts, being jealous without reason, or putting one region of the country before another. 

Thank you, my dear brother, Emidgio Veizaga. The day you humbled yourself for a few moments taught me more than I could ever teach you. Praise God for the revival that followed.