Ms. Ruby was a spitfire of a woman who loved the Lord dearly. There was not an empty pew in the church at her funeral, nor a dry eye.
But there was also rejoicing.
Because those who knew her knew where she’d gone. They knew every step she made here on earth was to get her closer to Jesus. Now she was resting in His arms.
Sitting in that pew, listening to two different preachers give eulogies deserving of a saint, I hung my head in shame. My works were many, but my heart had grown cold.
Walking back to my car in the parking lot following the service, I heard words very similar to lyrics in Matthew West’s Unashamed.
🎶 So, what’s gonna be said of me
When it’s all said and done?
Will I stand for my beliefs
Or will I turn around and run? 🎶
I hadn’t always been so cold. I, too, had been on fire for the Lord. But I got hurt. Badly.
And I blamed Him.
I also cared way too much about how others saw me. Sometimes I was still a 13-year-old girl wanting to look cool in front of others.
I was supposed to be David, dancing joyfully for the Lord. Instead I was Michal, despising it.
I walked away from the funeral that day with a timid apology and a meek plea.
Lord, I’m sorry. Please return unto me the joy of my salvation.
It didn’t happen overnight, but the storm was brewing. That was the year I often refer to as “a tornado wrapped in a tsunami, followed by a hurricane.”
And when the dust had settled, I was UNASHAMED.
I now dance with total abandon before the Lord. My praise is not for men—it is for Him—so what others think of me is of no consequence.
And the hurt I went through? I should’ve remembered He was my refuge, not my adversary.
I will step in the fiery furnace.
I will face lions.
I will face giants.
I will proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Because I am now completely, totally unashamed.
Unashamed (Matthew West, 2024)
I’m unashamed
Of the gospel of Jesus Christ
And the truth that changed my life
For the name above all names
I’m unashamed
And I will live my faith out loud
Take a stand and stand my ground
For the One who took my shame
I’m unashamed
https://youtu.be/AJiku1JWATs?si=hgUte6OJveCp6-6r
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