“In shame, we exalt our knowledge of our brokenness over our knowledge of our Father.”
– Jason Gray
Thoughts?
Todd
15 thoughts on “Thoughts on a Quote”
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Wow! I agree, totally but I’ve never thought of shame as an indulgent emotion or feeling. Shame was always just something that’s there, a product of my actions or more completely the result of who my actions said I was at the deepest level. To be free enough in faith to KNOW God’s saving and healing work in me despite what I think I still see is something that’s fairly new to me. Jason always makes these beautiful, powerful statements. May I keep my eyes on the One who is making me whole.
I would say there is a lot of truth to this. During times of dealing with shame, it seems we become more interested in pouring out all that we are shameful for rather than the simple but deep fact that His grace continues to be larger than anything that causes us shame. If we aren’t careful, the possibility exists that others could see this outpouring of shame as a personal trophy presentation in front of others to display the very things we claim not to be proud of. However we must also remember our need for repentance and make sure that we claim His power over those things.
I think there’s definite truth in that. I know it’s true for me. I find that I do that in two situations: One, when I’ve gone a while without really taking time to dwell on the truths of God’s goodness and character (probably the most common situation/struggle for me). The other is when I’m subconsciously focused on my “life performance;” when I’m thinking more about my so-called ability to keep it all together and not fail, rather than my total need for God’s strength and grace. When I’m in either of those situations, I’m more likely to respond to failures by wallowing in shame and despair than by turning back to God; being grateful and aware of his love and grace.
The jars of clay in 2 Corinthians are “hard pressed on every side, but not crushed.” Yes, we were broken before, and we should never forget that. Yes, we should be malleable now. Yes, our hearts should be reaching out. But a longing for brokenness confuses me entirely as it seems like backtracking and my God is not a God of confusion but of peace (1 Cor.). Instead of focusing on being incomplete, shattered, and scattered, our minds should be fixed on the “whole fullness of deity” (Col. 2).
The jars of clay in 2 Corinthians are “hard pressed on every side, but not crushed.” Yes, we were broken before, and we should never forget that. Yes, we should be malleable now. Yes, our hearts should be reaching out. But a longing for brokenness confuses me entirely as it seems like backtracking and my God is not a God of confusion but of peace (1 Cor.). Instead of focusing on being incomplete, shattered, and scattered, our minds should be fixed on the “whole fullness of deity” (Col. 2).
We do that! I know as I’ve been broken and wounded the last 2 years, I’ve focused too much at times on myself, my hurts, my failures, and not on His character and great mercy and love. No matter the question, He remains the answer. I so get the line from Bebo Normans song “Disappear” where it says “I’m so tired of it being about me” I think our great God looks down at us trying to figure it all out within ourselves, just waiting for us to turn our glance toward Him.
When we accept Christ as Savior, God begins His work at making us like Jesus. This can only happen if we completly leave the life we had behind. In the same way an person can be addicted to alchol or opium,so are we addicted to the sinful life we had. God works to break our hearts in order to heal us of the decision making process we had in sin. When we make Him Savior but not Lord,we make the process harder than it needs to be! We look at the brokeness as a problem to pray about, worry over. We actually make it a shame to be broken, when it is freedom we are being given!
Is that close to what you had in mind? Or am I off base?
I think Jason’s statement is true because if we really know our Father’s heart, we would know shame does not live there. He would never shame us. Our accuser, Lucifer himself, is the father and perpetrator of shame. Our enemy exploits our brokenness and causes us to hide in shame. Our true Father redeems our brokenness and draws us close to his heart.
Does anyone write songs, or know of songs, on sacrificial giving? There are so many examples of sacrificial giving in scripture (of course, Jesus himself gave the supreme sacrifice) but I don’t see many songs about a challenge to the believe to give sacrificially. Anyone know of any? scott (at) secondb.org
Sorry for the last post which had nothing to do with Todd’s comment.
I am capable of worshipping so many idols. I think that of all of them, this is among the most tragic: to see myself as a victim, or to cling to some shortcoming, and embrace that as my identity. God’s healing and restoration are not welcome then, because without my wounds, who am I? Without my sad stories, who will take pity on me? If I am whole, what will stop someone else from hurting me? I’m empowered by my brokenness, because I can make others feel bad if I think they mistreat me. I feel like I know why Jesus asked the invalid at Bethesda “Do you want to be healed?” Letting go of the lie that this is all I am was one of the hardest things I’ve done. God has so much more to say about me than I can dream is true.
The concert in Pennsylvania was amazaing and this quote was only one of several the gentlemen made and that have since been coming to mind. Both Todd and Jason are deep thinkers of God’s Word, and we were blessed to benefit from that. There are so many things we put above the knowledge of our Father, which is a sin in itself. By when that thing is shame, it seems to be “more” sinful because that is the pure and simple reason that Jesus came — to take our sin and shame away!! When we don’t recognize that and let Him do the work in us to give it to Him, we dishonor Him at the deepest level and make what He did not the cross meaningless.
There was another thought that Todd offered on Sunday that I’d love to explore as well. He talked about stepping into someone else’s anger (as opposed to running away) so they know they can be angry and still be loved. What does that look like? May I be so bold as to request another blog topic on this one??
Which of course is pride. We are so ruled by our emotions. I keep reading the quote over and over and yes I absolutely hold the ugliness in me and in my past up and say to our Father “this is why I know you don’t mean me”. But it is truly ridiculous. When you put it in writing it is easier to see how absurd it is and how valuable the prayer “help me in my unbelief”.
”I sometimes think that shame, mere awkward, senseless shame, does as much towards preventing good acts and straightforward happiness as any of our vices can do.”
–C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed
”I sometimes think that shame, mere awkward, senseless shame, does as much towards preventing good acts and straightforward happiness as any of our vices can do.”
–C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed