We often try to use our spiritual habits to cover up our relational messes. We think that if we pray loudly enough, attend enough meetings, or read our Bibles consistently, God will ignore the trail of broken relationships we left behind in our active addiction. Jesus interrupts this kind of thinking. He says that our relationships with others directly impact our connection with God. Making direct amends isn’t an optional extra credit assignment; it is an urgent necessity. He tells us to pause our worship and go fix the wreckage first. Reconciliation restores what was broken. It takes immense courage to look someone in the eye and say, “I was wrong, and I am sorry for how I hurt you,” without adding a “but…” to the end of the sentence. When we clear our side of the street, regardless of how the other person responds, we find a profound, lasting peace. | 
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