No, not in the sense you’re thinking. Although on occasion I’ve threatened to go “dance for Jesus” at the nearby Deja Vu–AKA “Girls, Girls, Girls.” I figure folks would pay good money to see a 60-year-old chick strut her stuff. Might even bring out the news cameras and reporters. Then what? The View? Oprah? A movie deal?
Somehow I don’t think God would approve. Even though David danced uninhibited before Him in the buff.
No, I want to be stripped before God and transparent to those around me. Not afraid to expose scars. Not afraid to reveal where I still hurt and struggle. Coming out. Not hiding behind fig leaves of shame or layered with garments of heaviness.
Like it was in the beginning when Adam and Eve walked naked before God. No secrets. Running free in the garden. No excess weight or baggage.
The apple spoiled all that. After they ate, they tried to bundle up and hide.
Years ago, Dennis and I volunteered with a mobile groomer and others to help clean up a bunch of dogs that had been kept inside a small house. Yes, inside. All the time. When we got home, we didn’t deodorize (No Febreze in those days) or slip clean clothes on over the dirty ones. No, we furtively stripped at our back door before making a mad dash for the shower and lots of soap. And then we threw those filthy and smelly clothes away.
All of us pack on layers of some sort–not just to stay warm but also to cover the dirt. To hide our pain and shame and guilt. To protect ourselves. To cover up small hurts and major traumas.
We wear our masks and polish our veneers. We’re afraid to expose what is under the surface. Afraid to strip. Afraid to be vulnerable. Afraid to show our soft spots and knot holes. Afraid we’ll be judged or rejected.
We might burrow under emotional or behavioral blankets or lose ourselves in career, appearance, possessions, or even church busyness.
We dress up in pride.
We are not real with ourselves, with others, or with God.
Yet we can’t hide from God. Neither could Adam and Eve.
In the end, God provides the covering for His children. From the hides of animals to a spotless Lamb. The One who stripped Himself of everything on high to walk below. The One who was judged and rejected. Who was stripped, whipped, and humiliated. And hung in the open for all to see. By His stripes we are healed. He is the One who welcomes us with open arms no matter how bad we smell.
Yes, I want to be a stripper!
Stripped of everything that separates me from true intimacy with God. Of all the layers that insulate me from being who He created me to be.
Stripped of everything that entangles me and keeps me from running the race.
Stripped of everything that keeps me from being open, available, and transparent to others.
So they can see Him. So that they, too, can run free.
By our stripes, others can be healed.
What do you want to strip off today? What stripe will you expose in order to heal?
P.S. Sandi Patty is a great example of someone who has been peeling off layers. Check out her book, Layers, here. Also get to know Anne Jackson here. She is another who has opened up and talked about “messy things” and is giving others the opportunity to do the same.
Scripture: Colossians 3: 1-14 Read it in The Message.
Copyright © 2009 by Sandra Heska King
~~Melinda Y.~~ says
Sandra,
Thank You for sharing such an amazing insight into the impact of "spiritual masks" that so many of us as beleivers in the body of Christ wear everyday.
We see people wearing masks everyday on airplanes to keep from spreading the flu. We are wearing "masks" everyday to keep from spreading the truth which makes all a bunch of cowards.
I have spent the majority of my entire life in spiritual blindness. As a result, God chooses to continually chisel away at my strongholds.
Like Paul, I've learned to live w/ the thorns & grow to accept that "His grace is sufficient & his power is made perfect in my weekness".
Thank You & Bless You,
Melinda
Sandy/Snady says
Powerful comment, Melinda! I'm well acquainted with that chisel, too. Our God is amazing, and He knows how to redeem "lost" time and blindness and then use it to bring sight to others–in His time. Hugs.
Beholding Him with you,
Sandy
Eileen Astels Watson says
Sandy, I must follow you, you dig deep into the soul. I think God will use your posts to grow me into a much better child of His. Thanks for helping me see the layers that need stripping!
Sandy/Snady says
Oh Eileen, you have certainly blessed me today. I love how He brings His children together and helps us sand and smooth each other. I hope it's okay if I follow you, too. 🙂
Spiritually stripping,
Snady