ARE WE TRULY SORRY???

So often I have heard it said, and even said or thought it myself:  "It is easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask permission"!   There are many that live by this 'motto'... believing that getting their actions approved ahead of time is overrated.  Not asking permission in advance for fear that permission will not be granted... we proceed with the activity of choice.  Later if it is found that something has been done wrong or a wrong decision has been made - then time is spent apologizing and making amends or restitution.  Our children do this, employees do this, I have even heard Pastors say this in reference to their congregation, husband and wives do this, and yes... I am guilty of such dreaded activity.

In even contemplating how often I've seen this plan in action... I realized that as Christians we often do this with the Lord.  Going ahead with our own plans and our own personal will... never asking Him what He would have us do - only when later we find we have gone the wrong direction in life... then we want to "blame" Him for not directing our steps.  How can we "blame" Him... when we didn't ask for His guidance and direction to begin with???  The Lord desires our "obedience" more than our "sacrifices and apologies."  So we must ask ourselves:  "Are we truly sorry" or do we just want "what WE want" - no matter the cost - and we will ask forgiveness later???

And Samuel said , Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings 
and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken 

than the fat of rams.  (1 Samuel 15:22)