I suppose the “up-side” to doing embarrassing things is that they give me things to write about in my blog. I learn things in a “hands-on” sort of way, but I would prefer relegating that aspect of my personality to new skills instead of life principles.  Ah well, I have recovered sufficiently since this past week, so it is time to sit down and write.

I was searching for a house number in an unfamiliar part of town. My sense of victory at finding the address was eclipsed by the fact that I wasn’t watching traffic and narrowly escaped a collision as I attempted a left-hand turn in front of an oncoming car.  My daughter’s panicked yell broke my concentration and I was able to brake before an accident occurred.

Without a doubt, the strongest emotion I felt was shame. I also was pretty mad at myself for being so careless, so focused on one thing that I neglected the other.  I do not like making mistakes, particularly the ones that have the potential to hurt others.  I am also grateful that “the angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7).  I also recognize that faith in Jesus relieves us from the shame we so rightly deserve:  “…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in you heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, ‘whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame’” (Romans 10:9-11).

That is not to say there isn’t a place in a Christian’s life where shame might have a rightful place: “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:34). Sometimes there is a place of slumber in our lives where unrighteousness resides—it is not easy to recognize and even more difficult to admit our brokenness.  Often we hide our critical attitudes, selfishness or greed, ingratitude, bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness (to name a few) underneath a cloak of self-righteousness.  However, evidence of our sinful attitudes frequently slip out through the words we speak, or in our actions and activities.

All too often society has a greater impact on the church than God’s people having an impact on our culture. We frequently bemoan our governments, the problems we have with others, disappointments, or our circumstances—feeling justified, yet neglecting God’s perspective so readily available in His Word.  For example:

• “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Romans 13:1).
• “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1, 2).
• “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Matthew 7:1, 2).
• “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:14-16).

I recognize (and am quite sure that many others experience this) how easy it is to focus on circumstances, my comfort, or the effects of another’s behavior on me while not realizing that my attitudes and words are violating these scriptures—I am complaining about leaders in government instead of praying for them; I am criticizing the actions of others without recognizing that I am judging them, and my words belie an underlying attitude that, even though I quote the scripture, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28), I really don’t like the way He works!

To the church at Colossae, Paul wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3).  We have both the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) and the indwelling Holy Spirit to assist us in doing that—to assist us in knowing God, to taking our thoughts captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), and to draw our minds to things above.  “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:5, 6).

The good news is “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).  Let us keep our focus on Jesus, seeking to know God and walking according to the Spirit of truth!