But Thou, O LORD art a shield about me, My glory and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3

What is it we need most? Some would say love…forgiveness…a place to belong…And yes, there are many needs in a human being. It takes many things to put together a wholeness, a completeness, we as humans need to function at our best.

I’ve watched people shame and hit their dog or their children. Maybe a grievous mistake or wrong had been committed. But can we not correct and admonish without shame?

I thought about people who have served time in jail or prison. They have paid their debt to society. The judgment of the court has been carried out. Yet upon returning home, they are ostracized, alienated from the community, not allowed to build their life again. 

In our society, we are a “right and wrong” society. Someone commits a crime or a sin…they pay the consequences yet, they never live down their mistake. Many times, it follows them the rest of their life. People continue to define them by that crime/sin.

In Jewish society, they are a shame/honor society. I think this is so much better. A person who has committed a wrong, pays the penalty. That is the justice carried out. Then comes forgiveness. Their righteousness is restored. Misphat is the Hebrew word for justice. Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for righteousness. A person’s shame is removed. Their righteousness is restored.

Not like in Western society where shame must be continually carried. Shame is a heavy load.

Did we hear the scripture at the beginning? When a person walks in shame, they lower their head. Their head hangs down. But what does our Father do? He lifts our head. He raises us up out of shame and restores us.

I think I much prefer the shame/honor system instead of the right/wrong system we have. Everyone should have their honor restored. Forgiveness. Restoration. 

The last Bible study we did was this very topic. Raising us up out of shame and restoring our righteousness. It keeps coming back to me. 

As the Body of Christ, the Church, I’m praying for this to be who we are. To be those people who lift heads that are bowed in shame by extending the love and forgiveness Jesus has for us all.

Love and prayers.