Forty Days Full - An Invitation To Real Life

people will see us, we have a wrong motive. It's another form of cover-up. We're hoping others will be impressed by our efforts. Religion can be a cover-up. We know all the proper 'christian-eze.' We attend all the prayer meetings and pray the loudest and longest. We long for others to see us as super- spiritual because then we'll be respected. Having fun can be a cover-up. We're the life of the party. Everyone wants to be with the fun guy or gal. We turn everything into a joke. Every weekend is another chance for fun. Serious conversations are avoided at all costs. The list is long of how we try to cover our shame. All of these attempts at self-covering become a barrier to relationship. They are an attempt to cover what is inside, what we are afraid others will see. We build a wall of self-protection that becomes our own prison cell. We long for love and acceptance but push God and people away by the barrier we have erected. This self-imposed isolation becomes the breeding ground for the lies of the enemy. In reality, we are powerless to protect ourselves from sin and its effects. We need a Father to be our defender. Only our Father God can provide a proper covering. We must tear down our wall of self-protection and allowGod to clothe us in His love. It is with acts of courage that we must open our lives up to God and the people around us.

Today’s Focus

Throughout your day, give thanks for the blood that was shed for your sins. Accept fully the sacrifice Jesus made to annihilate your shame. Refuse to accept shame for anything you’ve done.