December 11, 2018

Shame

13 minutes

Is it possible for God to overcome our shame? In this episode of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith tells the story of how the great Christian writer, Simone Weil, came to faith simply by reading a poem written by George Herbert, entitled “Love III.” This is what Herbert wrote:

Love bade me welcome. Yet my soul drew back

Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,

If I lacked any thing.

A guest, I answered, worthy to be here:

Love said, You shall be he.

I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah my dear,

I cannot look on thee.

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

Who made the eyes but I?

Truth Lord, but I have marred them: let my shame

Go where it doth deserve.

And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?

My dear, then I will serve.

You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:

So I did sit and eat.

So what did Herbert really say in this poem that was literally life-changing for Simone Weil? Jim explains that there are certain ideas that we, as humans, believe about yourselves. Yet there are certain things God says that refute those ideas. For instance, we feel guilty because of sin, yet God still loves us. We feel unworthy before God, yet God determines and affirms our worth. We feel our shame is deserved, yet God’s Son bore our shame on the cross and invites us to experience and enjoy His goodness. So yes, it is possible for God to overcome our shame – when we embrace God’s love, affirmation and goodness.

Related episodes:

1. Eternal Life Now

2. Hope

3. Living Godward

4. The Mystery of the Incarnation

5. God’s Love

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