Shame

Scripture Reading — John 4:4-18

[Jesus] told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
— John 4:16

In this story we find hints that the Samaritan woman was accustomed to hiding. Her personal life had fallen into ruin, and her sense of shame affected her daily routine. She came out to draw water at the hottest time of day, when most people preferred the shade. She was hiding in plain sight.

We, too, often hide. Ever since Adam and Eve crouched in Eden with those forbidden-fruit stains all over their faces (Genesis 3:6-10), we have tried to hide when we have felt guilty or ashamed.

Sometimes we hide in our sin, like rebellious sons and daughters far from home. We may not even do this on purpose— it just becomes easier to do as we please when the people who know us aren’t watching us or telling us what to do.

At other times we may try a different approach—hiding behind our “goodness.” We instinctively aim to act our best when we realize we have failed in some way. Think of how we put on our best behavior after sliding back into a sinful habit. We may not even be aware we are doing this, but our instinct to try to cover up and “clean up our act” runs deep. Like the woman who came to the well at midday, we tend to hide in our shame.

How does shame show up in your life? Do you notice when you are trying to cover up? How do you respond?

God, forgive us for trying to hide in our shame. Replace our fears with assurance of your grace and forgiveness, that we may enjoy the freedom you give us through new life in Christ. Amen.

Written by: Ron Vanderwell