"You, then, why do you judge your brother?  Or why do you look down on your brother?  For we will all stand before God's judgement seat.  It is written: '"As surely as I live," says the Lord, "every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God."'  So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God."  Romans 14:10-11

I've heard this message a thousand and one times.  I will stand before God and give reason for everything I've ever done...  But this morning it hit me--I will stand before God and give reason for everything I've ever done.  That scares me.

I'll try not to be a Debbie Downer, but I wonder.  How many words and phrases have slipped out of my mouth and caused unnecessary pain?  What clothing have I worn that have caused people to stumble?  How many times has someone needed to talk to me but I decide I have more important things to do?

Too many.  Too many hurtful words, too many inappropriate clothes, too many times I've ignored a human being.  And God will judge me for that.

Now because God is a God of forgiveness and new beginnings, I will not dwell on the past.  What's been done has been done, and dwelling on it will only make things worse.  But I will make it a point not to continue in this way.  God loved me so much He died for me, and He calls me to show that unfailing love to every other person He died for.  Everyone.

I will aim to do this, even though it's hard, because I know that I will stand before God and give reason for everything I've ever done.