Naked Without Shame

What we most desire in life is the very thing we most fear--to be completely exposed, wholly known, and truly loved.

There is a very good reason so many people interpret dreams about being naked in front of a crowd as terrifying or nightmarish. We are experts at life's version of hide-and-go-seek. We have been hiding since we left our home in Eden. We hide under layers of clothes, layers of skin, layers of humor and sarcasm, layers of cynicism, and even layers of optimism.

Some people will tell you that they are not ashamed to be physically naked. While that may be true, we must understand the concept of "naked and unashamed" in Genesis 2:25 has just as many implications for the body as it does the soul, which were created as one entity--a person. I would argue that those same people hide behind their physical nakedness. In a sense, they are trying to convey their confidence in themselves by showing confidence in their physical nature. More often than not, they are afraid to let people in to the messiness of their internal lives--secrets, fears, emotions, and scars.

Other people lay bare their emotions and secrets for all to see. They are hiding too. They are so "open" that they never have to risk being truly vulnerable. They tell you just enough so that you never think to ask deeper questions. They tell you everything secretly hoping that you will care enough to stick around. They long for attention in the form of love, but usually only get attention in the form of sympathy.

God is teaching me a lot about my own fears and desires of being known, accepted, and loved. My fears and desires for this unabashed exposure go beyond my relationships with the people in my life; it extends to (and, essentially, begins with) my relationship with God, Himself. It is a hard lesson to learn and embrace. It is probably one that I will be learning for the rest of my life.

He graciously gives us glimpses of this certain future in this lifetime, but the real thing will be oh so GOOD. Revelation 21:3 "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God." What a bright future we have in store for us as the children of God!