No Shame
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
- Philippians 1:18-21, NIV
Stuck at the crossroad between self and denial, your Lord, your God is asking you to choose between life and death. Not a simple choice when familiarity and comfort are at the forefront, yet that is exactly what is required in order to change your situations and circumstances. Know that when you cried God listened, but now He requires the same of you. So when He speaks are you willing to stand still long enough in this “place” to receive a word from God? Seems a rather silly question, but to solicit help in the first place is an admission that you need assistance…hence the crossroad you find yourself stuck at this day, this hour, this very moment. Unfortunately your pride and ego tend to lean in the opposite direction of where God is trying to take you. Familiarity with self and all its ways has led to mistrust of all things that follow down the road of righteousness…with shame and guilt following in hot pursuit. All these lay and wait as God continues to illuminate the direction you should go. However, the shame of today, much less your life, has you believing that no savior can ever remove you from where you’ve been and certainly won’t be able to stop what is yet to come from where you are going. Fortunately many have come to this very juncture and have chosen to move in the Lord’s direction understanding that He has taken a chance on them. They serve as living examples as the depth and breadth of God’s love for His people…and His people remain confident in such a love forgoing self knowing there is no shame proclaiming the works of their benevolent God because the life they are saving might not be their own. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus [There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1, NKJV)]; therefore, take a step in the right direction forsaking the world’s scorn for God’s love…then watch how you boldly proclaim the works of the Lord without shame knowing that He has delivered you from all things!
BE BLESSED!