When was the last time you felt thoroughly embarrassed? Do you think
there could be anything good to learn from finding yourself in the midst
of an awkward situation?
Genesis 2:25, “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were
not ashamed.”
Embarrassment is sometimes the result of sin. Have you ever noticed how
a little child can run naked through a room full of strangers without
feeling awkward? He is not aware of his nakedness, just as Adam and Eve
were not embarrassed in their innocence. But after Adam and Eve sinned,
shame and awkwardness quickly followed, creating barriers between themselves
and God. We often experience these same barriers in marriage. In an ideal
situation, a husband and wife have no barriers between them and feel no
embarrassment in exposing themselves to each other or to God. On the other
hand, like Adam and Eve, we put on fig leaves simply because we have areas
we don’t want our spouse, or God, to know about. Then we hide, just as
Adam and Eve hid from God… In marriage, lack of spiritual, emotional,
and intellectual intimacy usually comes before a breakdown of physical
intimacy. In much the same way, when we fail to expose our secret thoughts
to God, we break our lines of communication with Him!
Numbers 22:21-31, “And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his
ass, and went with the princes of Moab. [22] And God's anger was kindled
because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary
against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were
with him. [23] And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way,
and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way,
and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the
way. [24] But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards,
a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. [25] And when the
ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed
Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again. [26] And the angel
of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way
to turn either to the right hand or to the left. [27] And when the ass
saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger
was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. [28] And the Lord opened
the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto
thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? [29] And Balaam said
unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword
in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. [30] And the ass said unto Balaam,
Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine
unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. [31]
Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord
standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down
his head, and fell flat on his face.
Embarrassment is a key indicator our pride has been hurt. What an episode
this must have been! This dependable donkey saved Balaam’s life but (as
God would have it!) made him look foolish in the process, so Balaam lashed
out at the donkey. We do the same thing, don’t we, ladies? We sometimes
strike out at innocent people who get in our way when we are determined
to push ahead toward our goal. If only we understood how childish it is
to stage unnecessary quarrels! When things go awry, because we are embarrassed
or our pride is hurt, we lay the blunder on the nearest party. Ladies,
lashing out at others can be a sign that something is wrong with US! I
hope you are not in the habit of allowing your own hurt pride to lead
you to wound reliable people in your life. When Balaam’s eyes were opened
to the real situation, he finally saw the mistakes he made in being so
self-conscious.
Matthew 14:7-10, “Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever
she would ask. [8] And she, being before instructed of her mother, said,
Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. [9] And the king was sorry:
nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat,
he commanded it to be given her. [10] And he sent, and beheaded John in
the prison.”
Fear of embarrassment can also lead to sinful actions. In this Biblical
account, Herod did not want to kill John the Baptist, but he gave the
order anyway so that he wouldn’t be embarrassed in front of his guests.
How easy it is to give in to the crowd and to let ourselves be pressured
into doing wrong! Mom, how many times have you reprimanded your children
a bit too harshly in a public setting simply because you were embarrassed
over their unsuitable behavior? Never get yourself into a situation where
it will be too embarrassing to do what is right! Determine to hold to
the correct way of handling things, no matter how awkward or agonizing
it may be.
Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is
the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek.”
In closing, embarrassment could indicate lack of genuine belief. The apostle
Paul was not ashamed because his message was the very gospel of Christ!
It was the message of salvation, it had life-changing power, and it was
for everyone. Ladies, when you are tempted to be feel awkward because
of your position in Christ, remember what the gospel is all about! Ego
problems stem from worrying about the opinions of others… If you focus
on the Lord and on what He is doing rather than on your own inadequacy,
you won’t be ashamed or embarrassed. I hope you are confident that the
gospel is true! How about it, dear lady - are you willing to lose some
of your status so that others can benefit? With whom do you need to be
more honest and forthright about the gospel message you believe? Something
as good as this can be learned in every uncomfortable situation, amen?
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2002 Pamela A. Iannello
