Shame Off You
In my line of work as an Interview Specialist, I ask some VERY probing questions. Anyone who has applied to our long term mission trip will tell you that we are very candid and in depth on both the online application and the phone interview.
For example- there are a number of pages to fill out on the World Race application, one of those being the “experiences page.” On this page, applicants check boxes stating if they’ve experienced the specific topic either “Never,” “Past,” or “Present.” If the answer is “Past” or “Present” they need to fill out the dates in which those experiences occurred. Then we have them provide further explanation for each experience in a textbox and in person on our interview call.
These topics we are inquiring about range from abuse to crime to pornography to occult activity and everywhere in between.
Not surprisingly, these questions have the tendency to make people uncomfortable. And unfortunately, these question cause people to feel isolated in their sin struggles.
In my past year and a half of working at Adventures in Missions, I have had the capacity to talk to approximately 20 applicants a week, and the applications with zero experiences marked are few and far between. So then why, if these experiences are so common, do people feel so alone in those struggles?
Shame.
Shame sucks out our ability to see ourselves as children who are worthy of being loved. Shame tells us we are deeply flawed, and that our failure makes us unworthy of belonging. Shame tells us we are less than.
Facing our shame and speaking the Lords truth over ourselves can be the bravest, hardest, and most redeeming thing that we can do. Instead of believing that we AREN’T worthy because of something WE have done, let’s believe that we ARE worthy because of the things HE has done.
Let’s shift our focus from “I am bad” to “I’ve done something bad, but I have God’s forgiveness;” with that shift, we are able to see the way the Lord washes us, and we are able to see the way that the Lord redeems us. Owning our struggle, gaining accountability, being upfront with struggles- that sets us free. And then through that freedom, the Lord gives us the ability to walk along side and free others.
Your worth was settled at the Cross. Don’t let shame win when it has already been defeated.
What shame are you letting dictate your worth? What truth can you replace it with?
I’m still fundraising for my position as an Interview Specialist! I love my job here, and want to thank all of my amazing supporters for their prayers and donations!
My next fundraising deadline is to be 50% funded ($3,000) by April 1st. I’d super appreciate it if you would consider contributing towards that goal!
Love well,
Molly Fae
