For most of my life starting from 5th grade, there were elements of God that really made me turn my back on the idea of following Him. Even after I was saved sophomore year, I had a twisted view of what it meant to follow him and bring glory to His name. It wasn’t until training camp where I finally realized what to share about God that will make people actually want to listen about the Father!
I believe that a lot of Christians, especially in young adults and teens, view shame and conviction as the same thing. They think that bringing truth means bringing to light sins that a person is committing, but it’s really doing the opposite. See, shame hasn’t brought anyone to Christ, simply because God isn’t shameful.
I came into training camp feeling guilty. The enemy used this feeling to hold me back from opening up to the people around me and from closing me off from really having a breakthrough with God. Everyday we would hear from speakers telling us about the joy that is found in freedom, each one chipping away at the wall I had built up with help from the devil. I spent the first few worship sessions in tears and I was so conflicted that I wanted to just quit. See, I thought this is how I should be feeling. I thought that shame was how God was telling me that what I was doing was wrong. This mindset was built up by years of judgmental looks from saying or doing the wrong thing. Years of my faith being questioned because I wasn’t in the same small group or didn’t go to the same church as all my friends. And most importantly, years of shaming my friends for actions I didn’t agree with and then ignoring my own hypocrisy when I did the same thing down the road. I thought shame was a pillar in the Christian faith, and never had I been more wrong.
One day, by team leader told me that God is a gentleman, He doesn’t give us shame. Later that night, I was overcome with words from the Father and an overflowing feeling of love. I was free. I realized that he doesn’t give us shame, he just wants to give us love. He only gives us the good, and never wants us to feel the negative consequences of our actions. He is a father who forgives and doesn’t shame.
So the next time you see someone who you feel isn’t following the will of the creator, don’t judge. There are consequences to actions that aren’t aligned with God’s plan. Think first about the darkness in their hearts from those consequences, and combat that darkness with love and grace. Grace is the only way to honor God, not shame!
The first step is to realize that God is worthy of our time. Once your relationship with the Lord evolves, so will your tastebuds. The things that you liked doing before won’t seem as appealing because you will become more like Jesus everyday. This is something I still struggle with, but I’m so excited to see change about myself!
This is why It’s so important as followers is to show people how Jesus would react to others and our own actions, with love and grace. Once we realize that Jesus is the way, he takes over the rest to completely renew the lives of his children.
Next week I’ll be in SWAZILAND! I am so excited to finally get out on the field and experience what I have been anticipating all year! Please keep me and my team in your prayers! (peep my adorable team, Radiate, to the side!)
Thank you for reading!!!
<3
Sydney
