Pastor’s Corner: “Letting go of Shame”
Philippians 3:12, 13 (NIV) – “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me … Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead …”
When my wife and I first received some chickens (6) from some friends, we were very excited to start getting our own eggs. But they were not fully grown yet and we did not know whether they were hens or roosters. Then one morning, we heard them (not just one but four – ugh!) ER-er-ER-er- ERRRR. Roosters. ER-er-ER-er-ERRRR. Again and again, every morning, right outside our window. I had never killed a chicken before, but I was seriously thinking of having chicken dinner. Then the day would wear on and I would lose my nerve. Again the next morning – ER-er-ER-er-ERRRR. This memory reminds me of Peter. Then I think of me. And I think of you.
Maybe you know the story. On the night before Jesus went to the cross, He had a chat with his friend Peter. He referred to Peter in his pre-disciple-days name — Simon,. Luke 22:31-34. ‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’” “But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’” “Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me’” (NIV). A few hours later, Peter did deny he even knew Jesus. Three times. And then the rooster crowed. ER-er-ER-er ERRRR. Peter went outside and wept bitterly. The next morning, the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered his failure. And the next, and the next and the next. And Peter remembered all over again.
Have you been there? I have. I have failed and I have remembered again and again. I have wrestled and agonized over my failures, shortcomings and sin. Maybe you have not wept bitterly, but you recognize that dull pain in the bottom of your stomach that keeps coming back, slowly eroding your self-worth. Shame has poked holes in my Spirit-filled confidence, and I have hidden behind the wall with Peter. And even though I asked God to forgive me, and I knew He had, the rooster still crowed in my heart, and I remembered failing all over again. I wonder if you have too.
We can be stuck like a trapeze artist who refuses to let go of the first bar — trying desperately to take hold of grace, but not quite letting go of the shame. And God calls us to … Let go. Move forward. Live bold. It’s the only way. And Paul tells us how … “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me … Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead …” (Philippians 3:12, 13). When we finally take hold of, grasp and make our own all that Jesus has already prepared for us, we begin to experience life to the full — the faith we’ve always longed for. But taking hold of what’s new is not enough. We’ve got to let go of the past.
Let go of the shame-filled thoughts that can plague us, and take hold of grace-filled pardon. Let go of crippling bitterness, and take hold of radical forgiveness. Let go of overwhelming worry, and take hold of sure-footed confidence. Let go of insecurity, and take hold of our true identity as a child of God. God has placed lavish promises in our hearts and letting go of shame and taking hold of grace is where it all begins. What did Jesus say about Peter’s failure? Three strikes, you’re out? Hardly. Jesus removed the blanket of shame hanging from Peter’s guilt-weary shoulders and called him to ministry and leadership.
Jesus does the same for you and for me. The rooster still crows. The question is, What will we remember when we hear that crow? Can I suggest, not the sin … but the grace. Let’s not let the enemy accuse us of what God has already forgiven! Don’t let him fool us into thinking that Jesus’ death on the cross was not enough. Take hold of what Jesus has already taken hold of and let Him place it in you.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton