Romans 9:32-33 NLT

...Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. 

They stumbled over the great rock in their path.

...

"But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced."

Romans 9:32-33 NLT

Never be disgraced, (the word here is "kataischuno" which means) disgraced, humiliated, shamed.

Disgraced.

Humiliated.

Shamed.

Perhaps of all the things we fear, these are the things we fear most. 

We know what shame is, and there's no way we can stand before God in shame, so we have to do more, obey more, be more right, more righteous...

But Paul says here that is the great rock in the path that we tumble over, that trips us up.

Paul invites us back to righteousness by faith, by trusting in God, by allowing us to be fully human, and Beloved. 

We get to put the shame, the fear of shame, the fear of disgrace, the fear of not being enough, the fear of rejection by our God down, because in Jesus we are fully accepted and dearly loved.

When Jesus says "follow me" it's not "or else", or "be perfect", but an invitation to join him.

Walking.

Walking towards home.

He may well chip away at the our heart motivations, our choices, our actions, our thoughts, but from a place of security, that he will never push us off the path (just avoid that rock in the way).

#letters

#redemptivestrands #hopeishere #weareBeloved