One of the incredible responsibilities I have as a pastor is helping people process, steward, and release their shame in light of Jesus, the gospel, and the indwelling Holy Spirit who comforts, guides, and empowers us to walk in new life. Shame is an overwhelmingly powerful force; moving through shame and into a place of belonging can be difficult work for a number of reasons. I recently observed something that I’d never known seen before. In the Garden of Eden, right after Adam and Eve sin, we read in Genesis “God came walking in the cool of the day” (3:8). The Church Father Jerome commented,
“God sought out Adam, not at midday but in the evening. Adam had already lost the sunlight, for his high noon was over. ”
Perhaps God sought out his children in the dark rather than the light so as to not intensify their shame but instead waited to gently enter into a less-lit space where healing, reconciliation, and belonging could be made possible again. Such is the nature of grace. For those involved in pastoral care, wisdom takes not only the truth of the matter into account but also the timing, tact, and tone of the wounded.