Listening to my parents tell stories of my childhood, I think they exaggerate the tales of my mischievousness; however, every once in a while, I witness an antic by a pre-schooler and consider what Julie was like at the age of two. I’m fairly certain that on more than one occasion, especially when involving my sister, that I uttered the words, “I didn’t do it!” Repeatedly, children spout these exact words even when your own eyes bear witness to their guilt. That boldness is one of the reasons that this marketing educator appreciates the irony and humor used in advertising campaigns that mimic the reality of living with kids. One of my favorites is a laundry detergent commercial which can be seen here (Tide Commercial ).

With this commercial fresh in my mind during a Campers on Mission work week at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center, I was often spouting “I didn’t do it” every time the power went out in Ginn Lodge. While volunteers worked diligently to improve the electrical in the lodge, other COMers were using power tools to cut tile, saw lumber, and vacuum drywall dust. It became pretty frequent that the system would become overloaded and us workers were left in the dark. Each time the power went out, I shouted, “I didn’t to it!” Whether the group found it annoying or funny, I’m not sure; but each time the lights went dark, it was a reflex for me to express those exact words.

There is another scenario when I want to bellow, “I didn’t do it!” but in actuality I DID do it, but that confession is a difficult one for me. See, my desire is to view my life as one where I have been obedient to my parents, I tithe to the church, I read Scripture and pray, along with traveling on mission trips. I hope people remember me as caring and kind, but I am still guilty of sins that I don’t like to confess such as being judgmental, making unfair comparisons, and envying what others possess. But I do commit these sins and it is these sins that nailed my Savior to a cross. I did do it. I put Him there to pay the price for me.

Instead of recognizing my role in the crucifixion, I prefer to place the blame on the bad people in the world including the terrorists, the human traffickers, the murderers, and every other illegal and immoral action; but if I am truly honest, my sin means I must voice the words, “I did do it and I’m sorry, Jesus.” As difficult as it is to watch, I confess that occasionally I need to view the movie The Passion of the Christ so that I don’t allow myself to forget the magnitude of the sacrifice that was made for me. With tears running down my cheeks, I yell for the soldiers to stop the beating; however, it’s vital that I recognize my role in hammering those nails and pushing those thorns into his head.

Carey Nieuwhof, in a message for Menlo Church, expresses the importance of confession for the Christ follower and how even when I try to be the best version of myself, I fail; but Jesus reminds me that I am in good company. We all sin, we all fall short which is why He had to die. When I am unwilling to admit my sins, it’s as if I’m saying, “I didn’t do it.” Nieuwhof continues to share that “Prayer has become this very private discipline in our culture. Scripture says, ‘Confess your sins to one another,’ but when I start to confess my sins out loud, I get really uncomfortable.”

This need to be accountable to others is one of the reasons it is important to build relational equity and to have a trustworthy team (posse, o’hana) who accepts our vulnerabilities. Nieuwhof adds, “You won’t address what you won’t confess…If you bring that forward before God and you bring that thing you won’t admit…if you tell the people around you, first of all, they’re not shocked, they know. Secondly, they are going to draw a lot closer to you. Thirdly, when you go public, there’s a built in accountability to that.”

My hope is that you have people who love you dearly who allow you to say, “I did do it. I’m sorry and will you please hold me accountable.”