"I Have Never Made a Mistake! (Habakkuk 2:4)

Several years ago, I was interviewing a medical resident applicant for our dermatology residency program. During these interviews, I like to ask questions that may give me a glimpse of their true personality. One of my favorite questions is, “I congratulate you on reaching this point in your career. Obviously you have made many good decisions but looking back upon your life, either professional or personal, are there any decisions that you have made, that, in retrospect, you now think may have been a mistake? And if so, how did you deal with it?”

Some residents were completely caught off guard by this question. In fact, one resident was so flustered that two days after the interview, I received a handwritten letter from her, explaining in great detail, why she was flustered and what she felt was her mistake. I greatly admired her courage, honesty and humility.

However, another resident left an equally vivid impression upon me. When I asked her the question, without missing a beat, she leaned across the table and stated, “Dr. Shitabata, I have NEVER made a mistake!”

Whoa.

“You just did.” I thought to myself.

Confidence is an important attribute for a physician. But humility must be mated with this confidence.

As I reflect upon this incident, I am reminded how the world substitutes the pride of intelligence and education for success. Refusing to admit to making mistakes or never admitting to making a wrong decision may be viewed by the world as a sign of success, but it is also a sure sign of pride, at its ugliest.

The prophet Habakkuk reminds us that such pride and values are misplaced. God values and justifies a person who is righteous and stands for Him in the face of evil and opposition.

Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:4

Everyone makes a mistake. And try as we might to hide our mistakes, all of our fears, failures, and trials are seen by God. He knows the deepest secrets of our heart. And He is willing to go where we may fear, into the places and memories where we are most vulnerable and weakest.

Will you let Him into your heart? If you confess your sins, repent, and call upon the name of Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Savior, He will come into your heart and reign in your life. And all the sins, the painful memories, will be scattered as far as the east is from the west. You will be forgiven and sanctified by His precious blood.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.