A young man that I know wanted to be a war hero badly. He would volunteer for combat duty in Iraq, but for one reason or another, he never got selected. After combat operations stopped, he began to tell “war stories” about his combat experiences. The stories had gotten bigger and bigger to the point where he was unstoppable.

The young man went home on leave with these stories and began to tell his fellow high school graduates in his hometown about his war-time experiences. He showed off a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and a Silver Star, saying that he earned them in combat. His stories were so interesting, news of his “experiences” caught the ears of his hometown paper; which interviewed him. From there, he also did a couple of speaking engagements at the local high school.

After his leave, he returned to his base. It wasn’t long after his return when he was confronted by the Air Force Office of Special Investigation. A retired colonel in his hometown did some checking and found out that the whole thing was a lie. He reported it to the Air Force, which immediately launched an investigation, which resulted in a court marital and a reduction in grade. Stolen honor is something that is a very serious matter; especially for the military and veterans.

I personally know this young man, and it has impacted his life. When he was discharged from the military, the story just followed him around and affected the possibility of any employment as a law enforcement officer. He was hired by a sheriff’s department, but never advanced beyond a deputy. He was a good cop, but his past followed him everywhere.

This man told me, “You can’t imagine what I’m going through. I really didn’t know how to stop telling these lies. Once I started, it just snowballed. One lie to cover another. I don’t want to meet my creator with this on my heart.” He quit law enforcement and moved away.

Proverbs 28:13 (NIV2011) “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

The biggest lie that we can tell ourselves is that we don’t need Jesus. If you really want peace in your life, we need to confess and turn away from our transgressions. Every one of us has burdens that are just as much sinful as the man carrying the lie. Like the man, we need to unload it before it consumes every part of our lives. We too need to dump our junk and live the abundant life that God has meant for us.

Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV2011) “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus is waiting