Sammy
When shame forces you to look down
Don’t dwell on your own mistakes
Sammy, don’t walk with your head down like that
Do you think they don’t like you?
Why do you walk with your head down like that, Sammy, with your eyes, Sammy, looking away?
Look up, Sammy, look up, Sammy, because there’s the blue sky.
This well-known song by Ramses Shaffy from the 1960s came to mind after a rough morning. Maybe you’ve been there. I certainly have in my own life, and perhaps you have in yours as well. Suddenly, out of nowhere, there’s a misunderstanding with someone. Before you knew it, things went a little wrong. In my case, it was with my wife. Nothing dramatic, nothing intense, but something happened where we didn’t quite understand each other for a moment. We said something to each other that wasn’t nice. I know, that shouldn’t happen, but these kinds of things just happen in life, even if you’ve been together for a long time.
At that moment, I said something that was completely unnecessary—just a nasty remark, the kind you regret; I certainly did. I’ve noticed that these kinds of situations often arise when you’re under pressure, when something important is about to happen. Like when I have to speak on Sundays or at other important moments. Then I always have to be extra careful. That’s exactly what happened again this week. As a result, I felt a little sad. Not just because of what I’d said, but also because my words had hurt the other person—the very person I love the most.
Of course, we talked it out, and I said I was sorry—and I meant it. We never go to sleep without making things right again, and this time was no exception. But when I woke up the next morning, I was quite… “depressed” might be too strong a word, but I certainly felt down. That’s when your face turns downward. I wasn’t looking up; I was looking down, figuratively speaking.
But then, as I started my day like that and thought about the little incident that had taken place, a thought suddenly came to me: read Psalm 24. When I get a thought like that, I usually act on it right away. So I opened my Bible and read Psalm 24 carefully. The beginning of that psalm didn’t really move me, because it didn’t relate to my situation. However, when I reached the end of the psalm, I read twice in those final verses: “Lift up your heads…” And again: “Lift up your heads…” That touched me, because I had my head bowed. I was sad, especially because of my mistake. Then this psalm says: lift up your head.
I immediately thought of the story of Cain. Fortunately, I haven’t made a mistake like Cain did in his life. Still, Cain, too, walked around with his head bowed—figuratively, but perhaps also literally. The Bible says in Genesis 4:5–6 that Cain, after killing his brother, was deeply depressed, filled with all kinds of feelings of resentment and bitterness. He refused to look God straight in the eye.
His entire demeanor was one of anger and a deep sense of rejection. It says: “Why are you angry, and why have you let your head hang down? Is it not true that if you do what is right, you can lift up your head?” Or as another translation puts it: “…he let his face hang down.” He cast his eyes down; he let his face hang down.
In that state, he was a man who was no longer accessible to God. Hatred, resentment, jealousy, and bitterness had taken hold of his heart. The evil one had completely taken control of him through jealousy and a sense of rejection. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case for me, but I did experience a moment of shame. Shame because I had said something I should have kept to myself.
That is why God says: if you do what is right, you can lift up your head. Do not allow yourself to be permanently held captive by guilt and shame. Don’t keep looking down; look up instead, where forgiveness is offered. You’ll be given a new chance to move forward. In my case, that was a reminder: don’t let your feelings, your disappointment, or your own failures control you—instead, fix your faith on God. Look up to heaven and always hear God’s voice there saying, “I have forgiven you if you repent.” Not only toward your wife, your acquaintances, your friend, or a brother or sister, but also toward yourself. In this way, you can start the day again with your head held high, as it says in Psalm 24: “Lift up your head.” I want to say this word of encouragement to myself, but also to you.
I’m sure there will be moments when this applies to you as well—when you, too, have to deal with your own shortcomings and failures. But there is no condemning God who looks at you with a negative gaze, accusing and charging you. Those accusations and charges come first and foremost from the enemy. In verse 7 of this Bible chapter, God says: “His desire is for you, but you must rule over him.”
Rule over the negativity; don’t dwell on feelings of guilt or self-pity any longer. But you may lift your head up, toward Jesus, toward Him who has all the power to forgive and restore your sin, weakness, and vulnerability as well.
The song about Sammy ends with the words: “Look up, Sammy, look up, Sammy, because there is One who loves you.” And in this case, I write ONE in all caps.
@wimvanputten