I recommend that you read the inspiration behind this post before proceeding.
You can find it here: Thinking You're Naked (Stuff Christians Like @JonAcuff)
One of my favourite things are blogs. Duh, right? I write one. But seriously, I love blogs. And I love bloggers. In my experience (which I am quite limited in, by the way), I've found that bloggers are probably some of the most genuine people out there. Why do I say that? Because they are. The wonderful tool called the Internet allows such people to openly express their opinions, their thoughts, their musings, and, ultimately, their heart in a way that some people can't do in public. Sure, there are many people that abuse this privilege, and it certainly doesn't come without its fair share of criticism. But the great thing about it is that it gives a voice to people who wouldn't otherwise have one. It allows you to speak to people in an open, honest, and real way. Perhaps even challenging them in their daily routine or speaking out a divine message from God himself. Personally, I know that I have been challenged by fellow bloggers and what they have to say. I am often also encouraged by the struggles they share about and how God is helping them through it. Knowing that you're not alone in this world is a very important message.
Where am I going with this? Recently, I was challenged by something presented by one of my favourite bloggers. Actually, I'm not even sure if 'challenged' is the right word. I've mentioned him before, his name is Jon Acuff. He's an author, a blogger, a Christian, and an all-around humorous fellow. I find that his blog is often satirical, but every once and a while, he throws in something that hits you right in the face. This week I got hit in the face hard. With a chair, it almost felt like. It really woke me up to something that I've always struggled with. Isn't it funny how God does that sometimes!?
If you haven't read the post outlined at the beginning of this post, I encourage you to go read it. Simply so you can understand the whole idea, instead of the little pieces that I'll share with you.
In a nutshell, Jon tells the story of when he first realized that his 5 year old daughter had discovered the overwhelming feeling of shame. Of how she refused to have a band-aid be put on her face in fear of looking silly. Who told her that she looked silly? He connects this story back to the very first discovery of shame. I completely agree with him when he says that this verse is the "saddest and most profoundly beautiful verses in the entire Bible". In Genesis 3:11, after Adam confessed his embarrassment and shame to the Lord over his nakedness, God inquires, "Who told you that you were naked?"
What exactly is so wonderful and extremely exciting about this scenario that inspired me to write an entire blog post about it? I find it absolutely incredible how a verse so small and insignificant, one that we usually just skim over in our reading, can have such a profound relevance for today. What is so profound about it? I can't really tell you for you because it could be sliced out to each person in a different way. Think about all the lies thrown at you in this world. By your teachers. By your peers. By your parents. By the media. Perhaps even by your own self. Lies about how you are an embarrassment to the world around you or reasons you should be ashamed of yourself.
What lies are being thrown at you? What lies have you convinced yourself of already?
In my world, the lies being thrown at me are that I'm not good enough, or smart enough, or pretty enough, or skinny enough. These are lies I freely thrown at myself too. I'm not blaming the rest of the world. I truly am my worst critic. Recently I've been feeling like I'm no longer a good enough friend for some of the people I went to high school with, simply because I don't have a second person attached to my hip. It's especially hard when they get married and it seems like they don't have enough time for you anymore. It doesn't help with trying to not feed my constant 'not good enough' feeling. It's pretty sad, really, because I used to be such a happy single. (Haha, if there is such.) But because I keep feeding these lies to myself, I've grown into the very person I used to hate. Putting myself down with any chance I get.
I also feed myself the lie that the things of my past should affect the things of my future. This is a horrible way of living, I know that. You don't have to tell me that, yet I still do this anyway. It's pretty much second nature for myself. Isn't it like that sometimes though? Our society trains us to be addicted to negativity.
This isn't a pity party. Maybe it sounds like one, but it really shouldn't. This is about honesty, openness, and being transparent (I really hate that word) with people. This is different. This is something that I've been challenged with lately, and I challenge you to examine your life for this as well. Think about the places in your life where shame and nakedness are hidden. Who told you that you weren't good enough? Who told you that you weren't pretty enough? Who told you that you'd make a bad girlfriend? Who told you that you would be 'forever alone'? Who told you? Who told you? Who told you? Not God, I can guarantee you that.
God has a promise for you. Yes, you may be ashamed of your nakedness, but that's not the end of the story. We are ashamed because we are sinful. Because we are sinful, God sent Jesus to take our punishment. (Which was DEATH, by the way, if you've forgotten.) Because Jesus took our punishment upon Himself, we can live in communion with Him. We can have life. What exactly was God's promise for you? "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." [Romans 8:1-2]
No condemnation. No shame. No nakedness.
Back to Genesis. Adam and Eve were ashamed of their nakedness. But this was before Jesus came to die for our sins, what happened to them? Yes, God took care of their disobedience by placing curses on the serpent and on them, but look at what God did after that. "And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them." [verse 21] Garments of skin? Where do you think He got those? Probably from an animal. Before the Law of Moses and priests, an animal was slaughtered to cover up the first incident of sin and shame. Meaning, God performed the very first sacrifice for sin and He performed the very last. Isn't that beautiful?
Until next time,
au revoir mes amies
