Shame on Shame

shame

/SHām/ 

noun

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1.    a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.

S - "O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame …  Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame; for I take refuge in you …  I wait for you.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25:2-4, 20-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬ 

O - Life and the Scriptures confirm that our way of thinking and doing things and the Lord’s way of thinking and doing things are very different. His ways are his own and he asks us to follow; confidently relying on his person and presence. The earliest and closest followers of Jesus discovered that this difference in thinking and living covered everything from daily bread to demons, from money to enemies. The result was an ongoing oscillation between terror and amazement. It required the courage to wait; to not take the lead; to risk and to face the very real possibility of shame. The words of David recorded above reflect this very real dynamic. 

A - Shame, and the dread of it, is a powerful force trying to shape our thinking and living. It wants to determine my actions and responsibilities. It presents itself as the way to avoid the very shame it threatens. It wants me to trust myself and take the lead. Heaven is hoping I won’t. It wants me learn the ways/paths of the Lord.  It wants me to know by experience that the one who trusts in the Lord will never be put to shame. Jesus describes it this way: "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." I’ll accept and pursue the change of thinking and living Jesus inspires and requires. 

P - Lord in heaven and on earth,

I admit that all these years later the fear of shame can still find me with its intimidating threats. Even so, you’ve never let a trial, circumstance or enemy produce the shame predicted. Not only so, you have revealed yourself, your ways and limitless capacities to work everything for good. I welcome you to shape and determine my actions and responsibilities.

Amazed,

Steve