ASHAMED
Today's reading: Ezra 7-10

"I prayed, O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you. For our sins are piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens." Ezra 9:6 NLT

Ashamed-feeling shame, guilt or disgrace; disappointed.

The prophet Ezra spoke on behalf of God's people.

God was about to lead them out of captivity, only to find that while in captivity the family of priests had followed pagan ways.

Ezra was broken.

Ezra was embarrassed.

Ezra was disappointed.

Ezra was right to be.

Sin dirties us, conviction points that dirt out and repentance redirects us.

But we don't see sin as we used to, as individuals, as churches, as a family of God.

We view sin as minor slips ups, infarctions, mistakes, mis-steps and errors in judgement.

It's when we begin to see sin as God sees it, we'll be ashamed, we'll be embarrassed, we'll be desperately wanting God's forgiveness and to make changes.