I Have to Write Something Else

“I have to write something else.”

That’s what has been swirling around and around in my mind since I published my last article and podcast on pornography.

My first thought was if I write something else it will push that post down in my feed and people won’t see it anymore, the weird feelings will be gone. The feeling of being exposed, the feeling of shame that I had overcome so many years ago that seemed to creep back in over the last 48 hours.

I have to write something else to cover up what I did, to cover up what I said, to cover up the shame.

Isn’t that what Adam and Eve did in the garden? They covered up their shame.

Shame is a funny thing, it’s like a shadow. It’s just there. And if you don’t take it that’s ok because the enemy can’t wait to use it, to maneuver it, to pass it on to people who can push it onto you. People who don’t believe in grace, people who don’t understand redemption and people who don’t believe in healing or change. People who are just lined up and waiting, broken themselves, waiting to shame others.

But, here’s the thing, shame can only take you if you let it. Shame can only cover you if you stay in the darkness but if you dare to step into the light, shame has to flee. The sun forces the shadows of shame to flee.

I AM going to write something else, I am going to tell you that I am not ashamed.

I do not feel shame, shame does not have my number on this thing or anything else. That podcast might have made you uncomfortable, it might have made you think about your own life, your own marriage, your own whatever or even think something about me-but, it also is setting people free. People who have been held in bondage over this thing for years and years are breaking free.

So, now the church gets to be the church. The church gets to forgive, to show grace, to embrace, the church gets to reach out to those who are crying out for help and actually help them be set free. The church gets to listen, to hear the brokenhearted, to cry alongside those who are crying-not preach, but cry.

The church gets to be the hands and feet.

And, just so we’re all clear, the “church” isn’t those people over there or that building or that pastor-the church is you.

Y-O-U.

If you read through some of the comments over the last few days and saw the hurting, reach out. Pray. Cry.

Now isn’t the time for judgment, for inappropriate questions, gossip and disgust. Now, is the time for healing. And that is why we are here and that is why I am doing this, the world needs to see the true body of Christ. The body that heals, the body that embraces, the body that cries and prays and lifts people up rather than tear them down. The body that knows, who we were yesterday is not who we are today.

And, if you’re one of the beautiful people being set free from the chains of addiction, let me say to you-“take up your mat and walk,” (John 5:8)  walk in the healing and love of Christ. Don’t be ashamed, there’s nothing to be ashamed of here-NO ONE is perfect, we’re all broken and in need of the same Savior. Let’s walk this road together, hand in hand, the road of healing.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

Listen to the song below, it has become my anthem.

Sarah Ann

Sarah Ann is an author, speaker and media personality committed to honesty, vulnerability and authenticity. She has a passion for empowering people who are willing to be honest and walk out life in Christ together. Sarah holds a Bachelors in Biblical Studies and a Masters in Theology and Apologetics, she also owns a clothing company, Ascent516.com and is the creator of SarahAnnSpeaks.com and the Sarah Ann Speaks Podcast. Sarah is featured daily on GEB TV.