Laced With Grace

“Buddy” has had to wear “the cone of shame”. You can’t miss Buddy’s cone….as he stares out the front window, every passerby does a double-take.  You can even hear him coming as he bangs against walls, into the couch, and sometimes even into the back of your leg.  Buddy must wear his cone for all to see.

It made me wonder how many of us also carry around our own “cones” of shame.

Sometimes we wear our shame where all can see.  Food, alcohol, and drug addictions take their toll on our outward appearance.

Other times our shame is hidden…secret.  We suffer inside with the shame.

Maybe you understand  shame all too well.

Maybe you feel like because of what you have done, or because what has been done to you, you could never come to Jesus. You feel unworthy of His love.

But Jesus came to take away all of that.

He sees who you are and what you’ve done….

and He loves you anyway.

And, He takes away the shame.

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Joshua 5:9

“Reproach” means “disgrace; shame.”  God wants to ROLL AWAY the shame and disgrace of areas of bondage.  Jesus came to set us free from sin and death AND to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  He has redeemed us completely….taking away our shame and disgrace.  I love how He frees the woman from John 8 telling her, “neither do I condemn you.”  Paul tells us that “therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)

When we seek Jesus, He takes away the shame, the disgrace, the reproach.

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”  Psalm 34:4-5

Lord, may I come to You honestly, seeking TRUE forgiveness. Thank You, Lord that when I turn to You, my face is NEVER covered with shame.  Thank You that You cleanse me from whatever I have done or whatever has been done to me. Thank You for Your forgiveness.   Thank You that You take away my shame. Thank You, Jesus.

My eighteen-year-old daughter Meghan, recently bought herself a new car. She was looking forward to taking me for a spin around the neighborhood. I climbed into “Abby” and it wasn’t long before we were out in some wide open spaces, enjoying the crisp afternoon.

As Meg started climbing up a hill, she nervously began to grind her gears and ride her breaks. The thick smell of burning brake pad soon filled the tiny car. “Meghan, what the…”

“Mom! I don’t need your help. I have had a stick-shift before!”

Her fear fueled her anger, which fueled mine. Once, we were driving again on flat roads I asked her, “What was that all about back there!? Why are you mad at me?”

“Mom, you get me nervous.” she stated matter-of-factly. Her eyes staring straight ahead.

“I get you nervous? Seriously?! But, I barely said a word.” I wondered if she was using me as her excuse for her poor driving performance back there.

“I can’t explain it Mom. You get me nervous.”

To my oldest child, my presence was powerful in her midnight blue Elantra. I had no idea. Words didn’t need to be spoken for her to know I was sitting in the front seat beside her. I couldn’t help but think about how as Christians we bring an invisible presence wherever we go. Most of the time we don’t even realize it. A mighty presence of the Holy Spirit, Christ in us. A sweet perfume to some, the scent of death to others. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. 2Cor. 2:15-16

One of my sister’s doesn’t enjoy the company of our family. As much as we laugh when we’re together and enjoy playing board games together with our families, it never seems to go much farther than that. We live only a few minutes from each other and rarely see one another. She no longer attends church or is interested in Bible studies. I no longer talk to her about it. I take my prayers to the Lord. I’ve often wondered if the reason she doesn’t want to spend time with me is because of the fragrance of Christ.

My daughter Meghan was becoming irritated with an unbelieving relative who was asking intrusive questions about her and her boyfriend. Meghan shared with this person that her and her boyfriend were praying about their relationship. Once the Lord and prayer were brought into the conversation this relative couldn’t get off of the phone fast enough. I wonder if she smelled something!?

As a believer in Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells inside of me and will permeate every bit of space I occupy. To some I may smell like a warm vanilla-spice candle, welcoming and comforting. But, to those who are perishing,  the stench I carry with me will burn the nostrils in an unpleasant way. Not always will I be received with open arms. Not always will my own family wish to spend time with me. And for no apparent reason at all, people may not like being around me. I’m learning to be OK with that.

Lord Jesus, help my heart. I want so much to be included and liked, especially by those I love. Help me to understand there is a spiritual fragance I bring into a room. You experienced torture and crucifixion for me. Help me to bear the stench I am to those who are perishing. Remind me it isn’t me at all, but you they can’t bear to be around. Then, help me to live a life that brings you glory. One that helps point others to you. I love you so much Jesus.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” ~ Philippians 4:6 (ESV)

May I ask you a question this morning? How often have you prayed over an issue in your life, but gave up? Gave up because you felt that no matter how long, how hard you prayed, you didn’t seem to get an answer? That your prayer hit the sealing, bouncing right back at you?

Let me tell you…DON’T give up. Storm the throne room with your prayers. Continue to pray for the salvation of a loved one; a friend who needs a job; healing over a child/friend/mother/father/spouse. God hears you. I just need to tell you that He will answer in HIS time, not ours.

Several weeks ago my morning prayer time was different. My heart was heavy with some issues, so I prayed before my first cup of coffee. What happened next was the first for me…I know that many have had this happened before (maybe even you); I felt a presence in the room — twice it moved right before me. Sure I have felt peace before, but never ever a real presence. I was a little startled about it to say the least. I even emailed a friend afterward asking ‘if I never prayed ‘right‘ before…

Why am I sharing this with you? Because I believe that the presence was real, encouraging me to not stop praying over certain issues (which I had in the past). You see, just recently one of my two-year-old prayer was answered. I also started my prayer journal (once again). I want to make sure that I will not forget a prayer, even if I have to pray it over the next 10 or 20 years…

“Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank You for Your encouragement not to give up on prayer. Help me to never give up because I feel that my prayer does not work. You have shown me that morning that You hear every single prayer and that You will answer it in YOUR time. I am trusting in Your mercy. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen”