Underneath the Fig Leaves

It is common for Christians to desire a life that is pleasing to God. I struggle with this when I find myself taking on the form of the figurative “fig leaves” to cover up my vulnerabilities, insecurities and even my identity by placing a layer of protection between myself and those around me. All, so that I can maintain a sense of security, is it worth it? Not even close.

The only security I need is God's merciful love. He is there to give me the strength and courage to peel back my fig leaves. It beomes real when I take the time to sit with what is at the core of my hiding, because that is when I can begin to understand why the fig leaves are there in the first place. The armor of God's love is a powerful force that can help break away our false selves we create to feel safe and secure, we just have to want it.

Growing closer to God’s perfect love is easier when we look at the raw truth of who we are, and the truth of what God's love is. That truth shows me to live a life that is pleasing to God, I need to be willing to release these “fig leaves” and bring my vulnerabilities to the surface. Accepting my weaknesses, surrendering to God’s plan, and confronting my insecurities, I can bring that same compassionate heart into the love I have for the most important roles in my life as a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. Opening those parts of myself that I would rather keep hidden is not easy and most often scary but when I do that, I am able to be who God created me to be and be filled with a renewed sense of courage.

This liturgical season of Lent, I want to continue identifying and releasing my own fig leaves and loving others through my transparency. Honesty, humility, and vulnerability is work, but I have found it to be incredibly freeing. Showing up in my relationships, faith, and life in general in a more whole and authentic way leads me to a deeper relationship with God. Sometimes I feel resistance, but His love gives me the strength to trust in His path for me and those I deeply love.

God’s love is a reminder that I am accepted, embraced and worthy of being my true self. It is my own sin of self-righteousness that gets in the way of my heart when it comes to receiving God’s love. I don’t need to be right in my ways so the Lord WILL love me, I need to be right at seeing myself so that I can see how God truly DOES love me! All it takes is letting go one leaf at a time.

Lord, help sustain me with your compassionate love, for who you created me to be and for who I am underneath the hiding.

My prayer for you today is that you are uncovered through this season of Lent by God’s merciful love and you feel the only security you need. Peace be with you.

Together in prayer. Hand in hand.