Exposure

By Cyndi

                   Is it hard for you to admit not understanding something? What about admitting you were wrong? This can really hit our pride and ego. It can also cause tremendous shame. For me, admitting I didn’t know something was basically saying I was stupid. Being stupid is different than being ignorant, yet many times I didn’t want to expose my ignorance or my stupidity. Generally speaking, I don’t think any of us like to be exposed in any way.

                   Maybe some of this dislike for exposure goes all the way back to Adam in the garden. After having a close relationship with God, daily talking to Him, walking in the garden with Him, he and Eve disobeyed one of His rules. He knew he had done something wrong. He felt exposed so he wanted to hide from God. Don’t we do the same thing now? We try to hide our mistakes. We try to hide our ignorance. We try to hide whatever wrong thing we’ve done to avoid the shame that would come from others if they knew.  We don’t want anyone to think there is anything wrong with us.  In Asia they use the expression, “You must keep your face well.” In other words, you need to always look good on the outside regardless of what’s on the inside.

                   Much of our society is centered on the outside-how we look, how we dress, where we live, and so on. Just about every commercial on television is rapidly flashing multiple ways to improve our outsides in just 30 days, with no cash down, or in only two payments of $19.95, plus shipping and handling. But does changing what we wear, drive, or our hair color really change who we are as a person? Perhaps we’re ashamed of our true personality, trying to be someone we’re not; so we cover our inner person with layers of stuff and lies.

                   God is never ashamed of us; in fact, Jesus even calls us His brethren (Heb.2:11). Even when we make mistakes (which we will) or get embarrassed by our ignorance (that too), we need not try to hide. It’s not like He doesn’t know everything about us anyway! He loves us no matter what, and He’s not ashamed to be our God (Heb.11:16). He readily claims us as His own. We may do something really wrong and, like Adam, want to run and hide. We may even get exposed in front of everyone, thinking we must be the stupidest person who ever lived, yet Father God’s love covers us. Love covers (1 Pet. 4:8).

                   Knowing His love has now empowered me the freedom to be both ignorant and wrong. It sounds funny, doesn’t it? But I no longer have a problem asking seemingly “stupid” questions and admitting to being wrong (at least sometimes). I don’t feel the need to hide myself anymore. I’m not ashamed of what I appear to be on the outside to others because I know God loves me for who I really am on the inside. Being exposed is just a way for me to see His amazing love and grace exemplified in my life.