| Reclaiming Humanity |

Over the past year I’ve been told several times that I need to “own it”. ‘It’ is whatever it was that I was making excuses about, and therefore owning it means to declare it as mine, and then to deal with it. It comes so naturally to me to find other reasons and explanations as to why something has happened; making excuses comes easily for me. However, there is one excuse that I refuse to make for I find that it is not in line with my Judeo-Christian beliefs. This one excuse is formed in the phrase “I am only human”.

To say “I am only” – regardless of what follows – immediately speaks of limitation. It declares that something is not capable or able. Think for a moment about a mischievous child. Would it be beneficial for a parent to excuse the child of his behaviour by suggesting that it is okay because “he is only a child”? Surely not! Children are capable of both mischief and innocence. Likewise, to suggest that someone is only human such that sin is expected and even tolerated is just plain silliness. Humans are created with the capability for both good and evil. It is our human nature to walk with God as Adam and Eve did. For just as the fall divided us from God, the resurrection of Jesus Christ has given us a newly created opportunity for closeness with God.

Therefore, if we are redeemed by the resurrection of Christ, and created capable of goodness, why then do we associate our sinful behaviour with being "only human". We are so much more than the chains that bind us, and we should live accordingly.