Where Would You Be Without Shame?

We all reach an age where we become aware of and accountable for our actions.  The age of “accountability” can vary, but from this moment forward, it’s all between us and our heavenly Father and His Son Jesus.  What path are you going to choose?  The decision is yours and choosing the right path will lead to a life of beneficial blessings.

The shortest distance between two points is always a straight line.  In life that seldom happens.  We are prone to wander.  Sometimes it’s a little correction to get back on the path, “the straight and narrow” path.  I hope you’ve lived your life without straying too far off course.  If that’s not the case, and you have experienced a time where you were so far off the path you lost your way, then we have something in common. 

It only represented about 15% of my life span, however, during that time I got out in front of my Father and His Son Jesus.  I declared I knew my way and I would take the lead.  I would go where I wanted, do what I wanted, and choose who I wanted to do it with.  All that is a recipe for disaster, followed by pain, heartache, brokenness, sorrow, and shame.

This Sunday, January 2, 2022, I’m going to tell my story.  In reality, I’m only going to be a character in the story.  It’s really a story about my God.  He is the hero in this saga.  The Holy Spirit brought me back to the Father’s house where I found forgiveness, love, joy, peace, and restoration.  So, as they say, it’s all good.  I‘m restored.  Everything is back like it was before.  No, not really.  Oh yes, I’m forgiven, but why do I still feel so burdened?  This feeling, this reality I walked in, occupied roughly the next 25 years of my life.  Think of life like an iceberg.  People saw the visible part above the surface.  I was dealing with what was unseen.  I carried shame because I could not forget.  I had to deal with the collateral damage caused by my sin.

Maybe you have experienced this yourself.  It could be caused by moving in and out of faith.  You know what the Father did.  Some days it’s hard to believe it happened.  Every time you are hit with feelings of insecurity and inferiority, the shame rises in your thoughts.  Maybe you imagine what others might be thinking or saying.

Come to church Sunday and let me tell you my story.  You’ll hear how the Father overcame my shame and helped me get back on the path with Him, walking really close, walking in joy and peace.  I know, with God’s help, you can find where you will be without shame.

Rich Coffman