Shame

“...Shall never be put to shame?” ¹
Once I trust in Jesus’ name?
In this world it is absurd—
To claim that verse I heard!

Crucified! Burned alive!
Saints long ago have not survived.
Their honor stolen; hope snuffed out—
As Satan’s henchmen strut about.

Laughed at, some disowned,
Verbal floggings I have known,
All the saints die all day long.
“Sheep to slaughter”—right or wrong. ²

But, one day, shame shall speak no more...
When morning dawns on Heaven’s shore.
I’ll see His face! Of scorn—there’s no trace.
“Faithful servant, take thy honored place...” ³, ⁴

1. 1 Peter 2:6b, Psalm 34:5

2. Romans 8:36

3. Matt. 25:21

4. John 12:26, Rev. 19:5-9

© 2015 gratefulsue
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May 4, 2024

__________________________

I realize that most people associate the word “shame” with deserved negative feelings or consequences as a result of poor choices in one’s words or actions, such as, “I’m ashamed of myself for lying.” This is, of course, valid. It’s also perhaps the most common use of the word.

However, the sense in which this poem uses the word, “shame,” is for when a person is shamed even though he or she did the right thing, such as telling the truth when it’s unpopular. Or, potentially, one might be unjustly shamed for BEING something unpopular, such as the “wrong” ethnicity, or for being a religious person, and living by one’s convictions.

I wrote this poem in 2004, a year or so after my husband and I were (secretly) slandered by someone we knew and consequently, “mysteriously” rejected by a group of believers with whom we had sought to join. The group finally reversed it’s posture ~8 months later, after we discovered and then confronted the appropriate people. Nevertheless, we chose not to risk further wounding by the group, and did not affiliate. That experience remains a very painful memory, although no longer as raw. One day, “Shame” shall speak no more.