Genesis 3:7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 

I find it so interesting that the first evil Adam and Eve experienced was shame. Out of all the evils we deal with on a day to day basis, I find fear and shame to be the most subtle and run the deepest – but shame is by far the stickiest. We just can’t shed it and it impacts our actions and words – whether we like it or not – if that rodent shame is about us, we will stink with it, causing us to be angry or discontent or spiteful… or just ugly.

Lord, please cast out the shame that haunts us and teach us to accept your forgiveness and Live… with our eyes on You. Amen.

Psalm 34:6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.

A couple days ago, I walked so closely with the Lord that shame was as distant as the east is from the west. I could hear Him so clearly, and I knew I was forgiven, but the best part was that self was also a distant memory… the absence of self walked hand in hand with the absence of shame. 

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is Good. Oh the joys of those who take refuge in the Lord.

There is a catch with this because once you taste the Lord’s Goodness – nothing will ever satisfy you except Pure Goodness… and because I tasted and saw, I wanted to cling – my humanness wanted to remake my actions from that day so I could walk with Him just as I had before, and in trying to capture a ‘way’ – I missed The Way… surrender, fellowship, worship, a simple release… and the sticky critter shame quickly returned along with my self-focus… Self focus breeds shame. Just like Adam and Eve, as soon as they became aware of themselves, instant shame.

Lord fill us with the Holy Spirit so that we may have the courage and faith to lift our eyes to you and away from ourselves – for Life and Your Glory. Amen.