Shame Bumps

She calls them “shame bumps.”  Those things that keep us from drawing near to others—or to God.  It’s as old as time, really . . . shame bumps.  From the very first sin in the Garden of Eden, we see Adam and Eve hide in the bushes when they hear God walking in the garden.  What they had done—their act of rebellion—sent them running from the presence of God.

My friend went on to explain that she refused to call them anything more than bumps, because we can get over them.  Shame is not some insurmountable obstacle that irrevocably keeps us from God’s presence.  However, the evil one would love for us to believe otherwise.  How often does shame keep people from those they love—from getting together, answering their calls, or returning their texts?  People who they may have hurt in their act of rebellion . . .   How many times has shame kept people from going to church?  Left them feeling too unworthy to be in the house of God . . .   How many lies has shame had people believing about themselves?  A web of deceit that keeps them from seeing themselves through the eyes of God . . .

Even as my friend was sharing her theory on shame bumps, I had other friends who had failed to respond to my calls or texts—ashamed of a recent relapse.  I had friends who weren’t coming to church—ashamed of lifestyle choices.  I began to consider the concept of “shame bumps.”  It occurred to me that we, as friends and fellow believers, are put in a very powerful position.  We have the power to add to the shame, making the bump even higher and harder to get over . . . or the power to carve a little off the top.  Judgment, condemnation, self-righteousness: fruits of the flesh that are sure to add to their shame, making it next to impossible to overcome.  Grace, forgiveness, unconditional love: gifts from God that can lower the shame, making it just a little easier to get over. 

Sometimes I feel that my very presence—as the “church lady” or “Christian mentor”—can add to that shame.  Sometimes, I feel that they run from me like Adam and Eve ran from God.  I just wish they knew, I’m not God . . . I’m just another sinner with my own shame bumps.  Maybe I could use still more humility and vulnerability if I am ever going to be good at carving off the tops of shame bumps.  Maybe that’s one of the mountains I have yet to scale.  Maybe others will extend some grace that might shave a little off the top . . .

“Then the man and his wife heard the

sound of the Lord God as he was

walking in the garden in the cool of the

day, and they hid from the Lord God

among the trees of the garden.”

Genesis 3:8 NIV

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that

your sins may be wiped out, that times

of refreshing may come from the Lord,”

Acts 3:19 NIV

“For I will forgive their wickedness and

will remember their sins no more.”

Hebrews 8:12 NIV

“…for all have sinned and fall short of

the glory of God…”

Romans 3:23 NIV