THE WALK OF SHAME
Read Time: 3 min 51 sec
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“If your goal is purity of heart, be prepared to be thought very odd.”
Elizabeth Elliot
THE GOOD STUFF
THE WALK OF SHAME
by Megan Hendon | Member at Redeemer
I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I pray and talk with God, especially when I’m discouraged, hurting, ashamed of sin, and feeling tempted, I can forget the posture with which God tends to me. I can think of Him as a human who is easily annoyed, disappointed, angry, quick to judge or punish, etc., and find myself doing the walk of shame as I approach the throne. I may be the last to deserve anything else, but that isn’t what the Word says about how God views His children. It says He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. It says He delights in us, that he takes great joy in us. It says he is patient and gentle with the wayward and ignorant, graciously correcting and guiding us to where we should be. In these moments of miss-identifying God’s character and thus responding to Him improperly, I need to be reminded of passages like these in Hebrews:
Hebrews 2:17-18 – Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation (atonement) for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 4:14-16 - Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted [and suffered] as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
And so, as the scripture says, we don’t have to do a walk of shame and cower as we approach our Savior and Friend – we can draw near to Him to handle our suffering and temptation/sin well. We can trust He cares for us and understands us in every way. We can pray with confidence and peace that He hears us, and that helps us to trust Him when He doesn’t answer the way or timing we want. We can believe He knows best, and we need to walk in obedience to Him. We can believe that His rebuke is kind, his correction love.
Is there anything in your life you’ve been avoiding talking about with God? If so, why? What does the Word say about this?
Pray God will help you trust His heart and talk about the things you’ve been withholding.
Tell God the things you’ve been keeping to yourself and ask Him to reveal wisdom and truth to you through His Word, prayer, and Christian community.
Repent, then receive God's renewing mercy and grace. Repeat.
STAFF PICKS
LISTEN
It's officially after Thanksgiving so no one can judge you for listening to (or blasting) Christmas music. Here are a few of my favorite Christmas songs/albums for your listening pleasure:
A Tori Kelly Christmas by Tori Kelly - This girl can SANG! Man... if you don't start dancing with an overflow of Christmas spirit during her version of Joy to the World, they are probably auditioning for the next Grinch movie soon.
Christmas Music, Vol. 1by Cody Fry - Cody Fry is one of my favorite artists because he is craaaazy creative and talented. Not only can he play the stink out of the piano and guitar, but he is also a classical composer who writes his own compositions for songs like these!
You to Me by Dave Barnes - Ole Dave is a hilarious social media follow, but also an amazing songwriter and performer. The groove and piano in this song make me want to put on an ugly sweater and start a kickline group.
The Only Thing I Want Moreby Ordinary Friends - Cool song. Unbelievable female vocalist. Likable male vocalist. Mentions "a partridge" which may only be a lyric in two songs in history. Check it out.
Jake Zurawski| Creative Arts & Communications Director