Sunday Morning on the Porch: Coffee, New Beginnings, and the Whispers of Shame
The Louisiana air this Sunday morning is soft, carrying the gentle sounds of a new neighborhood in Shreveport. Sitting here on the porch of this new place, coffee warming my hands, there's a sense of quiet possibility. A fresh start. Yet, even in this hopeful setting, the echoes of past struggles, the whispers of that "anthem of shame," can sometimes try to creep in.
You know the tune: "You are what you've done." "The worst of what others say is true." "Your past defines your future." It's a melody that can feel particularly loud in moments of transition, when we're perhaps more vulnerable, more aware of the baggage we've carried.
Gazing out at the budding trees and the slow pace of a Sunday morning, it strikes me how contrary this anthem is to the very essence of what I'm learning in scripture. This new porch, this new chapter, feels like a physical manifestation of the fresh start God offers us spiritually.
The Bible doesn't shy away from the reality of our mistakes. It acknowledges the shame that can cling to us like morning mist. But it doesn't leave us there, stewing in self-condemnation. Instead, it offers a powerful counter-narrative, a melody of grace and redemption that drowns out the lies.
As I sip this coffee, Romans 8:1 resonates deeply: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." No condemnation. Sitting here on this porch, that feels like a profound truth to hold onto. This new place isn't a chance to outrun our past, but rather a space to live in the freedom offered by a God who doesn't define us by our failures.
And it's not just about a clean slate from past actions. It's about the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, our Counselor, who walks with us into these new beginnings. He doesn't stand on the sidelines, judging our every move. Instead, He gently guides, comforts, and reminds us of our true identity in Christ.
He's the quiet voice whispering truth when the anthem of shame tries to rise again. He reminds me that this new place, this new day, is an opportunity to walk in the forgiveness that has already been offered. He helps me to see myself not through the lens of past mistakes, but through the loving gaze of my Father.
Perhaps you're reading this from your own porch this Sunday morning, wherever that may be. Maybe you're also carrying the weight of past regrets or the sting of others' judgments. I want to encourage you, as I encourage myself here in Shreveport, to listen for a different song.
Listen for the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit, your Counselor, reminding you:
- Your past does not have to define your future. This new day, this new season, is filled with God's grace.
- You are loved and accepted, not because of what you've done, but because of who you are in Christ.
- The Holy Spirit is with you, offering comfort, guidance, and the strength to break free from the lies of shame.
This Sunday morning let's breathe in the fresh air of God's forgiveness and the hope of new beginnings. Let's allow the Holy Spirit to counsel our hearts, replacing the heavy chords of shame with the liberating melody of grace.
May this day, wherever you find yourself, be a reminder that you are not alone, you are loved, and you are being made new.
From my new porch in Shreveport, wishing you a blessed Sunday.
Yours Captain Hedges
No comments:
Post a Comment