Be the Bridge | An Invitation to Empathize
Book Review of Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison | Chapter 3 An Invitation to Empathize
The second step in the bridge to lament is to “acknowledge the harm and to lament it.” On page 49, Be the Bridge says, “The work of racial reconciliation requires us to acknowledge the harm and to lament it.”
Acknowledgment
What’s the difference between awareness and acknowledgment? Awareness is a state of being aware whereas acknowledgment is recognition or admission of something’s existence. For example, I can be aware of my sin of gossip aka know that I’m doing it every time I speak ill of someone without their knowledge, but I don’t acknowledge that sin until I confess to it or tell someone I am gossiping.
Is there anything wrong with acknowledging sin? No! We are called to confess sin to God and to those we have sinned against. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Confession leads to the forgiveness of sins, which is part of salvation.
